As the result of what Assemblyman James Ramos considers his most personal, proudest and meaningful accomplishment, the State of California has already renamed a dozen and will change the names on 31 more locations throughout the state that contained the word “squaw.”
Assembly Bill 2022, authored by Ramos was passed by both houses of the state legislature earlier this year and signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 25. It goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2025, and requires the term “squaw” to be removed from all geographic features and place names in California.