FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | ISSUE 7
The Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers Division, National Bar Association
GWAC GAZETTE "Living Our Mission, Empowering Our Community, Building Our Legacy"
Black History: Celebrated, Appreciated and Created Every Day and All Year Greetings GWAC Members, Friends and Supporters, Happy Black History Month! Recognizing that Black history is being made every day, February is the month that we go above and beyond as we celebrate our culture, our experiences, our heritage and the vast contributions African-Americans have been to this world. As we know and as history has shown, we are a resilient people. Every day is an opportunity for us to celebrate our history, appreciate our history and create history. There are many ways we can do this including by supporting each other's work, reading up on our history, sharing history with our families and upcoming generations, and continuing to put our best foot forward as we continue to build our own futures every day. As Representative Stacey Abrams said, “we will all, at some point, encounter hurdles to gaining access and entry, moving up and conquering self-doubt; but on the other side is the capacity to own opportunity and tell our own story.” Let's continue to tell our story.
OTHER STORIES INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Events Save The Date
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ICYMI Member Spotlight GWAC Foundation, Inc. News
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Volunteer Opportunities Something We Call Our Own
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#SelfCareSunday + Heart Health Month Kudos Corner
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Business of the Bars, Division and Region 12 GWAC Cmte. Mtg. and GBM Calendar 14 Highlights 2022 Charlotte E. Ray Awardee and Ad Purchase
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ABCs to Becoming an ALJ at the DC Office of Administrative Hearings *link to recording* 7 GWAC Foundation, Inc. Spring '22 Book Scholarship Winners
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Career Transitions: Practitioner Turned Professor, 3/2022 GWAC Dinner Series, 4/27/22
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NBA WLD Achievement Awards Nominations, 2/15/22
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Justis Connection BHM Special Legislative Affairs Cmte. Mtg., 2/7/22
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FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | ISSUE 7
EVENTS
Thursday, February 17, 2022, 6:30pm EST to 8:30pm EST: The 34th Annual Charlotte E. Ray Awards Ceremony Honoring GWAC Past President Norma Brown Hutcheson GWAC is very proud to announce that GWAC Past President Norma B. Hutcheson will be our 34th Annual Charlotte E. Ray Award honoree! Be sure to join us on Feb. 17th as we celebrate Past President Hutcheson for all that she has done and continues to do in the DC community and beyond! Past President Hutcheson, native Washingtonian and past chair of the GWAC Foundation, Inc. is the current Chairperson for the D.C. Board of Ethics and Government Accountability. Past President Hutcheson retired from the position of Deputy Managing Counsel for the Capital Metro Law Office of the United States Postal Service Law Department, after 36 years of service in the federal government. Additionally, Past President Hutcheson's involvement extends to organizations like the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law where she worked on the National Bar Association Election Protection Project, the Women's Bar Association of D.C., and The Links, Inc. to name a few. Through Past President Hutcheson's service, leadership, and mentorship of younger lawyers, she has made countless contributions that 2 have greatly impacted the legal community on local and national levels.
CLICK HERE TO RSVP
FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | ISSUE 7
EVENTS
February 11, 2022: Deadline to Purchase Ad for Inclusion in The 34th Annual Charlotte E. Ray Awards Ceremony Electronic Program Booklet If you would like to purchase an advertisement to be included in this year's Charlotte E. Ray Awards Ceremony electronic program booklet, please email advertisements by Friday, February 11, 2022 to president@gwacbar.org. Advertisements can be purchased in the amount of $100 for a full page and $50 for a half page according to the guidelines provided below. A portion of the funds received will go to GWAC's charitable arm, the GWAC Foundation, Inc. to continue providing scholarships to deserving law students. Ad Requirements and Sizes - High resolution JPEG file or high resolution PNG file - Full Page, 8.5" W x 11 H = $100 - Half Page, 8.5" W x 5.5" H = $50 Payment Methods
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT AD
CLICK HERE TO MAKE PAYPAL PAYMENT
PayPal: Send payment to treasurer@gwacbar.org. Check: Make payable to GWAC Bar Association, P.O. Box 77254, Washington, DC 20013-7254. When emailing your ad, please include a picture of your check.
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FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | ISSUE 7
EVENTS
February 1-28, 2022: Celebrating Black History Month Social Media Campaign This month, GWAC will celebrate and highlight the historical achievements of African-Americans throughout time and across the globe. This week we are highlighting African-Americans in the legal field and in politics, “Legal Legends and Political Pioneers.” We are expanding our knowledge and gaining inspiration as we celebrate our history. Visit our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages to view our campaign: @gwacbar.
February 1, 2022
February 2, 2022
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FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | ISSUE 7
SAVE THE DATE Thursday, February 24, 2022, 6:30pm-8:30pm: So, You Want to Be a Magistrate Judge? Continuing with our judicial programming, GWAC will be joined by several magistrate judges sitting on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to discuss the unique judicial selection process for the trial court. This is another space where there is both a need and an opportunity.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Wednesday, April 27, 2022: The GWAC Dinner Series The GWAC Dinner Series is an opportunity for GWAC members to receive exclusive access to DC's most prominent female attorneys and leaders over an evening meal. Past Dinner Series guests include Danielle Conley, Deputy Counsel, Biden Administration and Sade Dada, Africa Public Policy Manager Access and Connectivity at Facebook. Details and registration link are forthcoming, to include venue.
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FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | ISSUE 7
SAVE THE DATE
March 2022: Career Transitions: Practitioner Turned Professor This program will feature a variety of professors who have made career transitions from being legal practitioners to professors of law and the necessary steps they took and skills they acquired to make the transition. This program is anticipated to be virtual. Stay tuned for additional details. March 2022: GWAC Foundation Inc. to Host A Woman's Work Fundraiser In honor of March being Women’s History Month, the Foundation seeks to celebrate “A Woman’s Work” galvanizing support for black women owned businesses in the DMV while raising funds to support scholarships for black women law students. Stay tuned for additional details and learn how you can support this fundraiser.
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FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | ISSUE 7
ICYMI GWAC participated in MLK Day of Service on January 22, 2022. GWAC worked with the Anacostia Riverkeeper for its Anacostia Clean River Waterways Cleanup in southeast DC.
Last month, on January 19, 2022, GWAC held its "Winter General Body Meeting," Members received updates on 2021 year end events and what is in store for 2022. Members were able to check in with one another and participated in a Self-Care Vision Board Party which featured guest speaker and self-care advocate, Aisha Moore. She shared several tips to help set intentions for the year and how to manage and minimize stress. Some of these tips included: 1) writing your vision before creating a vision board; 2) make sure your vision makes sense for where you are now in your life; and make sure your career growth strategy is up to date.
On January 25, 2022 GWAC hosted part two of its judicial focused programming, "The ABCs to Becoming an Administrative Law Judge at the District of Columbia Office of Administrative Hearings." Panelists included The Honorable Yewande Aderoju, The Honorable Samuel McClendon and The Honorable Leslie A. Meek. We were also joined by a special guest panelist, The Honorable J.P. Howard. This program was moderated by GWAC's Judicial and Executive Appointments Chair, Dr. Tracey G. Jackson. All pictured below from left to right. Attendees learned about each judge's respective path to the bench, cases that they handle, differences in the hiring process and more. We also learned that Judge Howard was the second African-American male judge to be appointed to OAH, approximately 10 to 12 years after Judge McClendon. Here is a link to view the recording of this program.
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FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | ISSUE 7
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
tra No ns itio table Ne n/ j wp pro ob ub mo lic tio ati n? on ?
Do you know of or are you a phenomenal GWAC member who should be recognized? Please submit information here for the GWAC Newsletter Member Spotlight. GWAC wants to celebrate and share your accomplishments! We will select new members each month to acknowledge in the monthly newsletter and on social media. Check out this month's GWAC members who are making waves both locally and nationally! CONGRATULATIONS to our outstanding members for the month of February!
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Chanell Autrey Youshea Berry Natalie Laroche Newly hired Newly appointed Selected for Director of Government Affairs for Director of Global Development Planning, D.C. Bar the The White House 2022 John Payton Leadership Academy Mid-Atlantic Region, Target
Brandi G. Howard Newest Partner, McGuireWoods LLP
Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby GWAC Law Firm and D.C. Court of Appeals Corporate Counsel Chair Co-authored Op-Ed "It Should Take More than Bianca Pinnock, 10 Minutes to Evict Someone," featured in the Selected for New York Times D.C. Bar 2022 John Payton Leadership Academy
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FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | ISSUE 7
GWAC FOUNDATION, INC. NEWS
The GWAC Foundation, Inc. Congratulates its Two Spring 2022 $500 Book Scholarship Winners!
Ms. Imani Brooks is a second year law student at American University Washington College of Law. She is a Law Student Policy Intern for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Ms. Brooks will be pursing her interests in appellate law and labor and employment law as a 2022 summer associate at Woods Rogers, PLC. On campus, Ms. Brooks serves on the Black Students Law Association E-board and the If When How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice E-Board. In the DC community, Ms. Brooks teaches constitutional law at Ballou High School and is a member of the Federal City Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She received her B.A. from Emory University in International Studies.
Sydney Chapman was born and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland. She graduated in 2019 from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She spent time as a Paralegal for two years and is now a 1L at the University of Chicago Law School.
To learn more about the GWAC Foundation or to donate click here.
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FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | ISSUE 7
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Police Abuse Litigation Corps: Police Misconduct Litigation Training Beginning Late February 2022/Early March 2022 A coalition of local and national civil rights organizations is mobilizing an unprecedented movement of lawyers and other advocates across the country to challenge unlawful police abuse. The Police Abuse Litigation Corps will train those individuals through a program crafted by national civil rights experts, match them with survivors of police abuse, and provide resources, mentorship, and connection to the broader community of police abuse litigators/organizers as they represent those survivors in lawsuits. This is an abolitionist, antiracist project, which will take its lead from movements and organizers. We are partnering with grassroots organizations, community organizers, high-profile law firms, and lawyers at all levels of practice to wield the power of the Bar to confront and combat police abuse like never before. Participants will also engage in training, which will consist of 2-4 hours of training per week for 12 virtual sessions.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO APPLY
CLICK HERE TO VIEW CURRICULUM
Spring 2022: The Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Justice Advocacy Competition The Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major for Justice Advocacy Competition is an annual oral and written advocacy program sponsored by the National Bar Association and the National Bar Institute designed to motivate high school students to excel in education. The Competition encourages students to express their views on a pre-selected topic and focuses on the ability of the students to communicate orally and in writing. The contest is also designed to give young people experience in public speaking and reviewing legal documents as well as provide an opportunity for them to obtain some financial support to continue their education. Winners will be chosen at the national Competition during the 97th Annual Convention taking place July 24-29, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. Stay tuned regarding additional details.
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FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | ISSUE 7
SOMETHING WE CALL OUR OWN: BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS SHOUTOUT
#SelfCare Sunday Self-care apps to check out:
In the theme of going to the next level in 2022, an area where we can always go to the next level, is in our self-care. Aisha Moore, founder of Self-Care by Aisha, is a self-care advocate and stress management expert. She helps women in senior-level roles who are experiencing burnout get serious about self-care so they can take off their cape, carve out time for self-care, and experience inner peace. Aisha has a unique perspective because she was stressed out to the point of needing to go on short-term disability. After getting serious about self-care, she was able to get herself off five anxiety medications in 90 days, get her job back after being demoted, and revive a failing marriage. Aisha is determined to show up as the best version of herself because she does not want another woman to ever experience the physical, emotional, and mental pain that she suffered on her path to success. Workshops include "Planting The Seeds of Self-care (Team-building Workshop)" and "Effective Feedback: Creating Positive Working Relationships Using Open Communication.
Shine (*Black creator*) Headspace Moment Calm In recognition of February also being Heart Health Month, here are some selfcare tips to take care of your heart: Cut down on salt
To learn more, click here.
Fill up on fruits,
Upcoming workshop: "3 Steps To Creating An Unapologetic, Uncompromising, and Ultramodern Life Vision"
Eat less sugar
vegetables and fish
Sunday, February 6, 2022 at 1pm EST (virtual)
Kudos Corner
Congratulations to GWAC's January Special Membership Raffle Winners: Ugochukwu Uche-Anya and GWAC Treasurer Natasha Hudgins!
Check your blood pressure regularly
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FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | ISSUE 7
BUSINESS OF THE BARS, DIVISION AND REGION Stay up to date with with the National Bar Association, Region XII, and fellow affiliate bar.
National Bar Association February 18, 2022: Early Bird Registration for the 97th Annual NBA Convention Ends, $500 for NBA Members, $700 for Non-NBA Members The National Bar Association is so excited to announce the NBA's 97th Annual Convention and Exhibits in Memphis, Tennessee. Join us July 24-29, 2022 as we assemble the nation's oldest and largest national association of predominantly African American lawyers, judges, educators and law students as the legal voice of the African American community. You don't want to miss an action packed five (5) days of speakers, panels, entertainment, networking, and education! Stay tuned for more information via email and follow the NBA's social media pages.
February 18, 2022, 8PM EST Deadline to Apply: NBA Corporate Section Scholarship The NBA Corporate Law Section’s 2022 Gateway to Success Scholarship Application is now available for college and law students. The scholarship(s) will be awarded at the annual Gateway to Success Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 8, 2022. Attendance at the conference is not required. The Scholarships will be awarded nationally to six African American diverse students including two undergraduate students who intend to apply and attend law school and three current law school students attending law school in the following manner: 1) two scholarships to undergraduate students of any major and 2) three scholarships to current law school students.The deadline for application submissions is 8:00 p.m. EST on February 18, 2022.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE APPLICATION
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
March 1, 2022: Deadline to Apply for Committee and Board Vacancies The D.C. Bar Board of Governors is seeking candidates for appointment this spring to the Attorney/Client Arbitration Board, Clients’ Security Fund, Legal Ethics Committee, Rules of Professional Conduct Review Committee, the Board on Professional Responsibility of the D.C. Court of Appeals, and the board of directors of the DC Bar Foundation. Click here to learn more or apply for a board or committee opening.
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FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | ISSUE 7
BUSINESS OF THE BARS, DIVISION AND REGION Stay up to date with with the National Bar Association, Region XII, and fellow affiliate bar.
National Bar Association
February 15, 2022: Deadline to Submit Annual Achievement Award Nominations The NBA Women Lawyers Division is still accepting nominations until February 15, 2022 for its 50th Anniversary Honors and Achievement Awards Breakfast taking place during the 98th National Bar Association Annual Convention to be held in Memphis, Tennessee on July 26, 2022 at 7pm EST. Completed nomination packets must be emailed to nbawomenlawyerawards@gmail.com.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS NOMINATION FORM
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON AWARD CATEGORIES
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FEBRUARY 2, 2022 | ISSUE 7
COMMITTEE/GB MEETINGS If you are interested in learning more about and or joining the Legislative Affairs Committee, please see
MEMBERSHIP Benefits of Membership
the details below for the next committee meeting, along with the Zoom link to access the meeting. Legislative Affairs Committee - Feb. 7, 2022, 7pm8pm EST -Zoom link -Meetings take place the FIRST Monday of each month (same Zoom link). GWAC Spring General Body Meeting -March 16, 2022, 6pm-7pm EST -Register here GWAC End of Year General Body Meeting & Elections - June 15, 2022, 6pm-7:30pm EST
1. Sharpen your skills 2. Stay informed 3. Expand your client base 4. Obtain help finding a job or changing careers 5. Help improve the Washington DC metro area If you have yet to join or to renew your membership, now is the time! Click here to get started.
-Register here
BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPECIAL WITH PARTNER JUSTIS CONNECTION Justis Connection Black History Month 25% Discount Justis Connection is the legal tech startup connecting Black lawyers to new clients using technology to make the legal matchmaking process more efficient and effective. Justis Connection provides its lawyer members new clients and innovative business development support through the Lawyers Speakers Bureau, personalized social media promotion, customized URLs and more. Learn how your practice can take advantage of being in the Justis Connection network by registering for an informational session. As a member of GWAC, you are entitled to a limited time offer of 25% off subscription rates during Black History month by using code DMV. Head to www.justisconnection.com/for-the-lawyers to learn more.
**GWAC's monthly newsletter is distributed on the first Wednesday of each month**
CONNECT To learn more about GWAC, visit our website www.gwacbar.org. You can also follow us on social media: @GWACBar
To learn more about the GWAC Foundation, Inc., GWAC's charitable arm, visit http://gwacdc.org/
To learn more about the National Bar Association, visit http://www.nationalbar.org/
GWAC's monthly newsletter will also be available on our website.
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