For Immediate Release,
Contact: Mike Leone
VP, Communications and Marketing
YWCA USA
P 202.467.7025 | mleone@ywca.org

On April 9, 2024, U.S. Representatives Laurel Lee (R- FL-05) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) introduced the bipartisan Supporting the Abused by Learning Options to Navigate Survivor (SALONS) Stories Act, which would incentivize domestic violence awareness training for cosmetologists and beauty professionals. U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn..) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. 

The legislation provides grant money to states that require aspiring cosmetologists to take a domestic violence prevention training course to obtain their licenses. YWCA is a nationwide network of nearly 200 Local Associations that provide social services to women, children, and families and is one of the largest networks of domestic and sexual violence direct service providers. The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.  

YWCA USA CEO, Margaret Mitchell released the following statement in celebration of the legislation: 

 "Local YWCAs continue to see a sharp increase in demands for domestic and sexual violence services, and salon professionals are uniquely positioned to recognize the signs of abuse, respond, and provide resources to their clients,” said YWCA USA CEO Margaret Mitchell. "The SALONS Act will help us reach survivors of domestic violence even sooner, to help them find the safety and support they need, when they need it, through community solutions like the Shear Haven Training in Nashville, Tennessee.  We thank Representatives Laurel Lee and Debbie Dingell for introducing this important bill." 

Read the House bill here. Read the Senate bill here. 

About YWCA USA 

YWCA USA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families and strengthen communities. We are one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the nation, serving approximately 2 million women, girls and their families. 

YWCA has been at the forefront of the most pressing social movements for more than 160 years — from voting rights to civil rights, from affordable housing to pay equity, from violence prevention to health care reform. Today, we combine programming and advocacy in order to generate institutional change in three key areas: racial justice and civil rights, empowerment and economic advancement of women and girls, and health and safety of women and girls. 

For more information, visit ywca.org. 

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