MONTGOMERY, AL — Today, Independent Women applauds Alabama Governor Kay Ivey for boldly standing with women and signing the “What is a Woman Act”—inspired by Independent Women’s Stand with Women Act—into law. She is the first female Governor to sign such legislation into law. Similar legislation was vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs in Arizona in 2024 and by Governor Laura Kelly in Kansas in 2023, although Governor Kelly’s veto was overridden by the Kansas Legislature with bipartisan support.
The bill was introduced by Representative Susan DuBose and Senator April Weaver and passed with bipartisan support, a testament to the strong support among Alabamians for protecting private spaces for women. 97% of Alabamians think it’s important Alabama law protects private spaces for women. The Stand With Women legislation defines sex-based words and protects single-sex spaces in Alabama, such as rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters, college dorms, and locker rooms and passed just one week into the 2025 legislative session.
Alabama state and federal lawmakers have been strong supporters of Independent Women’s Stand With Women model legislation. The “What is a Woman Act” was first introduced by Rep. Susan DuBose in the Alabama Legislature in the 2023 legislative session and then by both Rep. DuBose and Sen. April Weaver in 2024 and 2025. Independent Women has played a pivotal role in helping the legislation advance in all three sessions.
Governor Kay Ivey’s signature follows the momentum of pro-woman policies taking place across the country, including U.S. House bipartisan passage of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which has a Senate companion sponsored by Alabama Coach (Sen.) Tommy Tuberville, and President Donald Trump’s executive orders to define sex-based terms and keep men out of women’s sports.
In signing this important legislation, Governor Ivey takes the necessary step to codify President Trump’s latest executive orders and helps to ensure that Alabama women and girls are guaranteed the right to privacy, safety, and equal opportunity.
“Congratulations to my colleagues on passing this bill with bipartisan support! I first introduced this bill when I was a freshman legislator and inspired by Independent Women’s Stand with Women Act. Two years later and I’m thrilled we’ve gotten this over the finish line,” said Rep. Susan DuBose, Alabama House of Representatives District 45 and original sponsor of the legislation. “It’s a true honor to have helped carry this win forward, not just for my constituents, but for every single Alabama woman and girl. And what an absolute honor to watch Governor Ivey make history as the first female governor to firmly declare her commitment to stand with women and sign this bill into law. We live in the greatest state, and it just got even better!”
In Alabama, men are born men, women are born women, and common sense always wins,” said Senator Weaver. “I am proud to help deliver a powerful dose of common sense to counter the dangerous cultural war being waged on fundamental truth and Alabama values,” said Senator April Weaver, Alabama Senate District 14 and sponsor of the legislation.
“Since the beginning of time, people have agreed that sex is assigned at birth and determined by God,” said United States Senator Tommy Tuberville. “But under the Biden administration, Democrats claimed men can get pregnant and boys should compete in girls’ sports. Thankfully, we don’t have to deal with this nonsense in the great state of Alabama. I’m grateful for leaders like President Donald Trump and Governor Kay Ivey who are fighting back against the woke gender ideology and standing up for women and girls everywhere.”
Alabama Attorney General, Steven Marshall, said, “I am so proud of my friends, Rep. Susan DuBose and Sen. April Weaver, for their persistence in ensuring that women and girls in Alabama are never marginalized by a misinterpretation of our laws. After fighting these battles in numerous courtrooms, it was clear to me that the distinction between men and women needed to be codified in law, leaving no room for faulty analysis. As a girl dad, I am so pleased to see our state taking the lead again on a matter so close to my heart.”
Independent Women Ambassador Paula Scanlan, who previously testified in support of the legislation, said, “The ‘What is Woman Act’ ensures no girl has to undress next to a fully grown man in a locker room, like I was forced to do. I commend the Alabama legislature for prioritizing the swift passage of this bill which has nearly unanimous support by Alabamians. And after two female Governors refused to sign this legislation into law, it’s refreshing to see Governor Ivey welcome this bill to her desk. Thank you Alabama for Standing with Women!”
“The Alabama Policy Institute was pleased to work hand in hand with the Independent Women’s Forum, Governor Kay Ivey, Senator April Weaver, and Representative Susan DuBose in passing this legislation to establish biological definitions into state law. This bill establishes, without a doubt, that Alabama knows what a woman is,” said Stephanie Smith, President & CEO at Alabama Policy Institute.
Alabama is now the ninth state to adopt laws inspired by Independent Women’s Stand with Women model joining Kansas, Tennessee, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arkansas, and soon to be Montana in impacting the lives of over 17.4 million women and girls.
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