MARCH 2, 2022 | ISSUE 8
The Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers Division, National Bar Association
GWAC GAZETTE "Living Our Mission, Empowering Our Community, Building Our Legacy"
I'm a Woman, phenomenally. Phenomenal Woman, that's me. Greetings GWAC Members, Friends and Supporters, Happy Women's History Month! March was officially designated as Women's History Month in 1987 by Congress, after much advocacy by the National Women's History Project. This commemorative month was established with the purpose of recognizing women's contributions and achievements throughout history. One phenomenal woman who is making history is Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson who was nominated to the United States Supreme Court on February 25 2022, making her the first Black woman nominated and possibly the first Black woman appointed to the highest court in the land after 200 plus years. This is a transformative moment in the United States as well as in women's history and Black history. We are witnessing history unfold before our very eyes. GWAC will spotlight other phenomenal women who have played pivotal roles in shaping communities, futures and history.
OTHER STORIES INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Events Save The Date
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GWAC Foundation, Inc. News ICYMI Kudos Corner
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Member Spotlight Something We Call Our Own
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#SelfCareSunday Business of the Bars, Division and Region
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GWAC Cmte. Mtg. and GBM Calendar
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Highlights High Tea w/ Chief Judge Josey-Herring, 3/12/22
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So, You Want to Be a Magistrate Judge? *link to recording* 12 GWAC Foundation, Inc. A Woman's Work Fundraiser, 3/27-4/9/22
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Understanding Senate SCOTUS Confirmation Process, 3/3/22 2 GWAC Dinner Series, 3/9/22 4 NBA WLD Impact Awards Nominations Due 3/31/22
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New: GWAC Wellness & Well-Being Cmte.
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MARCH 2, 2022 | ISSUE 8
EVENTS
Thursday, March 3, 2022, 12pm EST to 1pm EST: Understanding the Senate SCOTUS Confirmation Process All are invited to attend the co-sponsored program, "Understanding the Senate SCOTUS Confirmation Process," on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 12pm EST. Attendees will learn about the nuts and bolts of the SCOTUS confirmation process. Participating organizations include the South Asian Bar Association of DC, the Capital Area Muslim Bar Association, the Asian Pacific Bar Association, the Hispanic Bar Association of DC, the Women's Bar Association of DC, and the Iranian American Bar Association. Panelists include John Amaya, Counsel, Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP; Christopher Kang, Cofounder and Chief Counsel, Demand Justice; Ajay Kundaria, Former Chief Counsel to Senator Amy Klobuchar; and Erinn D. Martin, Director of Nominations & Cross-Cutting Policies, National Women’s Law Center and GWAC Immediate Past President. The moderator will be Shirin Afsous, Litigation Associate, Greenberg Traurig, LLP and President of IABA DC. CLICK HERE TO RSVP
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EVENTS
Saturday, March 5, 2022, 10am to 1pm: Washington Bar Association and GWAC Bar Association Annual Career Fair at UDC Law School Join the Washington Bar Association (WBA) Young Lawyers Division and GWAC for its Annual Career Fair on Saturday, March 5, 2022. During the Career Fair, law students will have the opportunity to interview with employers and engage in table talks. This year's Fair will be held in person at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law. For more information email info@wbayld.org. Location: University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law 4340 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC Closet Metro Station: Van Ness-UDC, street parking is available COVID-19 Precaution: Proof of vaccination or negative test will be required to participate.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER (EMPLOYERS)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER (STUDENTS)
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EVENTS
Wednesday, March 9, 2022, 7pm EST to 8pm EST: GWAC Dinner Series featuring DC Councilmember Christina Henderson GWAC's Dinner Series is back this year! 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. Members are able to engage in candid conversations about personal and professional experiences and navigating everything in between. Our featured guest for the month of March is DC Councilmember Christina Henderson. Christina Henderson is an At-Large member of the Council of the District of Columbia. Prior to serving as a member of the DC Council, Christina served as a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) handling education, workforce, postal and census issues for both the leadership and personal office.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
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EVENTS
Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 3pm EST: Virtual High Tea with Chief Judge Anita Josey-Herring In celebration of March being Women's History Month, the Washington Bar Association and GWAC invite you to virtually attend High Tea with Chief Judge Anita Josey-Herring on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Tea attire is encouraged. Enjoy your meal off camera from 3:00 to 3:30pm while listening to The Willard's Spotify High Tea playlist. Join by video at 3:30pm to sip tea, show your style and learn more about Chief Judge Josey-Herring's career path, time on the bench, responsibilities as a Chief Judge, best practices when appearing in Superior Court, and her plans for the future of the Court. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
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EVENTS
Wednesday, March 16, 2022, 6pm to 7pm EST: GWAC Spring General Body Meeting and Program GWAC will host its Spring General Body Meeting on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 6pm EST. During the second part of the meeting, we will hear a presentation from DC Refers and learn about current opportunities. DC Refers provides an online directory of pre-screened attorneys willing to accept modest-means clients who will agree to pay a set amount per hour.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
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EVENTS
Tuesday, March 22, 2022, 6:30pm EST to 8pm EST: Practitioner Turned Professor This program will feature several 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 will be virtual. Stay tuned for additional details.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
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EVENTS
Friday, March 25, 2022, 12pm EST to 1pm EST: Q2 Money Management Reset w/ Rho Thomas As we approach the second quarter of the year, GWAC will be joined by Rho Thomas, attorney and financial coach for a lunch hour discussion to help attendees do a money management reset. Some of the topics to be covered include overspending, debt and saving and investing. This program will be virtual.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
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EVENTS
Saturday, March 26, 2022, 10am EST: Judicial Clerkship & Internship Panel Please Join GWAC for a panel discussion to learn how to obtain a judicial clerkship, hear the benefits of a judicial clerkship or internship and how to navigate the application and interview process from judges, former/current clerks, and interns.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
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SAVE THE DATE
April 2022: Spring 5K Run/Walk
April 27, 2022 at 7pm: GWAC Dinner Series featuring Judge Robin M. Meriweather
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MARCH 2, 2022 | ISSUE 8
GWAC FOUNDATION, INC. NEWS
March 27, 2022 through April 9, 2022: GWAC Foundation Hosts A Woman's Work Campaign March 2022 marks two years since the start of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Among other things, COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted Black-owned businesses and serviceoriented organizations, with Black women business owners taking the hardest hit. The GWAC Foundation, Inc. recognizes the power of black women supporting black women. Accordingly, for Women’s History Month, from March 27 through April 9, 2022, the GWAC Foundation will host “A Woman’s Work” Campaign, in an effort to galvanize support for Black women-owned, businesses in the Washington, DC area and to provide scholarships to Black women law students and alumni. Stay tuned to learn about supporting business partners.
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ICYMI GWAC hosted its 34th Annual Charlotte E. Ray Award Ceremony on February 17, 2022, where GWAC honored Past President Norma Brown Hutcheson (picture below center). There was an outpour of love shown, memorable moments shared and heartwarming words of congratulations spoken. Watch the ceremony here and read the program booklet here. (GWAC Charlotte E. Ray Chair Jeanine Howard, Past Charlotte E. Ray Awardee and Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby (D.C. Court of Appeals) pictured left to right).
On February 24, 2022, GWAC held its "So, You Want to Be a Magistrate Judge?" program featuring GWAC member Judge Sherri Beatty-Arthur, Judge Tyrona De Witt, Judge Kimberly Knowles, Chair of the Committee on Selection and Tenure, and moderated by GWAC Judicial Liaison Tanya Jones Bosier, who all sit on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia (pictured below from left to right). Topics discussed included Imposter Syndrome, work/life balance and challenges of transitioning to the role of magistrate judge. Click here to view the recording. Link to magistrate judge application. Currently, there are three vacancies on the trial court.
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ICYMI GWAC officially launched its Law Student Pipeline Mentorship Program, "Life Lines and Legal Lines" on February 28, 2022. Past President Norma Brown Hutcheson was interviewed by WUSA 9 and WJLA 7 News on the historic nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court.
Kudos Corner Thank you to GWAC's Judicial Liaison, Judge Tanya Jones Bosier and GWAC Past President Judge Tara J. Fentress (pictured below top to bottom) for speaking at GWAC's kickoff session for Life Lines and Legal Lines Law Student Pipeline
The March edition of the DC Bar's Washington Lawyer magazine, which focuses on gender biases in law, features past GWAC Charlotte E. Ray Awardee Pauline A. Schneider and GWAC's Charlotte E. Ray Chair, Jeanine Howard, who discusses the impact Black prosecutors are making in the justice system.
Mentorship Program. They spoke about their professional and judicial journeys, the importance of staying involved and connected to bar associations, among other things.
Working with Women Lawyers on Guard, GWAC has signed on to join the Roundtable of Advisory Organizations for its initiative, "Conversations with Men: Uprooting Workplace Sexual Harassment." This initiative seeks to address sexual harassment in the legal profession. Click here to read the report "Still Broken," published by Women Lawyers of Guard.
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MARCH 2, 2022 | ISSUE 8
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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 March!
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GWAC Legislative Affairs Chair Angela S. Robinson Newly appointed Administrative Law Judge, DC Office of Human Rights
Judge John "J.P." Howard Recently confirmed and sworn in as Associate Judge on the D.C. Court of Appeals
Judge Ebony M. Scott Recently confirmed and sworn in as Associate Judge on the Superior Court of D.C.
GWAC Past President Rita M. Sampson Newly appointed Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
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MARCH 2, 2022 | ISSUE 8
SOMETHING WE CALL OUR OWN: BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS SHOUTOUT
#SelfCare Sunday Self-care tips:
Named after the popular DC staple and owned by Morehouse College graduate, Andre McCain, Half Smoke opened in 2016. It offers both an eclectic and nostalgic vibe from its interior to the 90s and 2000s themed menu. Located in the historically Black Shaw neighborhood, not far from Howard University, Half Smoke is a quick-service restaurant, café, and gastro pub all rolled into one. Half Smoke has become a popular brunch favorite in the District, particularly among millennials. Locations: 651 Florida Avenue NW Washington, DC 20001 (202)-986-2079 2400 Boston Street Baltimore, MD 21224 (443) 759-8020
Try something you have always wanted to do Write a reflective letter to your younger self discussing your journey and future Develop and write out your personal mission statement (read and recite regularly) Find a park near home or work and spend 15 minutes walking in it or enjoying nature while sitting on a park bench (without using your phone)
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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 July 24-29, 2022: 97th Annual NBA Convention 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! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
March 23-27, 2022: NBA 42nd Annual Mid-Year Conference and Gertrude E. Rush Awards Dinner Join the National Bar Association from March 23-March 27, 2022 for the 42nd Annual Mid-Year Conference and Gertrude E. Rush Awards Dinner in Houston, Texas for a live, in person event. This event pays homage to two of our most devoted civil rights leaders, Gertrude E. Rush and Heman Sweatt. Full registration includes CLE offerings, the Welcome Reception, Heman Sweatt Luncheon and the Gertrude Rush Dinner. The NBA has made the decision for every participant to provide proof of being fully vaccinated and provide proof of a negative test 72 hours prior to the start of the event. Every attendee will be required to sign a waiver upon arrival to the event certifying a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
April 6-10, 2022: NBA Young Lawyers Division International Leadership Conference The National Bar Association Young Lawyers Division will host its international leadership conference this year in Cartagena, Colombia. Highlights of the trip will include performing community service in Palenque, going on a volcano tour and visiting the Bora Bora Beach Club. All are invited to attend! **$299 for YLD members and $399 for non-YLD members** CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND LEARN MORE
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MARCH 2, 2022 | ISSUE 8
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 Women Lawyers Division
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MARCH 2, 2022 | ISSUE 8
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 Women Lawyers Division March 31, 2022: Deadline to Submit NBA Women Lawyers Division 50th Anniversary Impact Awards Nominations are now open for the NBA Women Lawyers Division’s 50th Anniversary Impact Awards. Eligible women, men and organizations are encouraged to apply. The nominee’s impact must have occurred at some time during the past 50 years, 1972-2022. Award Recipients will be honored during the NBA Women Lawyers Division’s 50th Anniversary Honors & Achievement Awards Breakfast during the 98th NBA Annual Convention in Memphis, TN. The Women Lawyers Division (WLD) of the National Bar Association was established in 1972 as a vehicle for women in the practice of law to address the issues and problems that particularly affect, interest, and concern African American women. The WLD recognizes the advancements of African American women lawyers during the past 50 years. These advancements could not have been achieved without the assistance and support of women, men and organizations. The NBA WLD 50th Anniversary Impact Award will recognize women, men, and organizations who have made a profound impact towards the advancement of African American women attorneys, African American women in general, and/or the communities that they serve through community mobilization and outreach, career progression, access to justice, legal education, support of diversity and inclusion, mentoring, or other notable trailblazing efforts during the past 50 years. Why Submit A Nomination? Demonstrate how you or your organization have aided African American women attorneys, women in general and/or the African American community at any time during the past 50 years. Criteria: The Nominee’s impact must have occurred during the past 50 years (1972-2022) and be related to the advancement of African American women attorneys, women in general or the African American community through mobilization and outreach, access to justice, career advancement, legal education, support of diversity and inclusion, mentoring, or other notable trailblazing efforts; Individuals and organizations may nominate themselves or may be nominated by a third party; The award recipients must participate in marketing and communications efforts for the award, which may include filming a short video; and Selected winners must attend in person the NBA Women Lawyers Division 50th Anniversary Honors & Awards Breakfast on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS NOMINATION APPLICATION
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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 - Mar. 7, 2022, 7pm-8pm EST -Zoom link -Meetings take place the FIRST Monday of each month (same Zoom link). GWAC End of Year General Body Meeting & Elections - June 15, 2022, 6pm-7:30pm EST -Register here
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.
CONNECT GWAC WELLNESS & WELL-BEING COMMITTEE
To learn more about GWAC, visit our website www.gwacbar.org. You can also follow us on social media: @GWACBar
New: GWAC Wellness & Well-Being Committee To help address issues concerning member wellness and well-being, GWAC seeks to form a Wellness & Well-Being Committee. This Committee will work to host programming, engage speakers, and implement ideas that address mental health, physical health, emotional health, among other areas to aid in the overall health of members. The Committee will meet monthly. If you are not able to join the committee but have ideas, please share those as well. If interested in joining this committee, please email president@gwacbar.org.
**GWAC's monthly newsletter is distributed on the first Wednesday of each month**
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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