SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 | ISSUE 2
The Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers Division, National Bar Association
GWAC GAZETTE "Living Our Mission, Empowering Our Community, Building Our Legacy"
SEPTEMBER: NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION MONTH September marks the beginning of National Voter Registration Month. September was designated as National Voter Registration Month in 2002 by the National Association of Secretaries of State "to encourage voter participation and increase awareness of state requirements and deadlines for voting." This month, GWAC will be undertaking efforts to provide education on voting rights and encourage voter registration and participation in the electoral process. There have been countless efforts made to suppress the right to vote for several populations including communities of color and returning citizens. One of the most impactful ways that we can effect change is by exercising our power to vote and encouraging and helping others to do the same. Whether it be a national election or a local election, all elections are important and they do have an impact either directly or indirectly. As the late Congressman John Lewis (whom the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is named after) said "Your vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have to create a more perfect union." Now is the time to put our tools to work to continue building the country we want to see and live in.
OTHER STORIES INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Events
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Save The Date
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Fashion Statement
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Something We Call Our Own
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Dollars & Sense
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Business of the Bars, Division and Region
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ICYMI
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#SelfCareSunday
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Member Spotlight What's New: Partnership
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with Justis Connection What's New: Partnership with WCCD
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SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 | ISSUE 2
EVENTS
September 21, 2021 at 6pm EST: A Conversation on Reimagining Systems of Enforcement
Join GWAC and the Hispanic Bar Association of DC on Sept. 21st at 6pm EST for an informative discussion on recent calls to reimagine the criminal legal system and immigration in the context of abolition. This event will take place on Zoom.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
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SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 | ISSUE 2
EVENTS
September 2, 2021, 6pm EST: National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division"The Road to The 50th"
As the National Bar Association Women Lawyer Division prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2022, all are invited to attend NBA WLD's "The Road to The 50th," a virtual kickoff reception today, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021 at 6:00pm EST.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
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SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 | ISSUE 2
EVENTS
September 17, 2021: NBA Constitution Day
GWAC is excited to participate once again in the National Bar Association's Constitution Day. This year, GWAC will be volunteering virtually at a local DC high school, details to be provided.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
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SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 | ISSUE 2
SAVE THE DATE
September 28, 2021: GWAC High School Voter Registration Drive with the DC Board of Elections, Washington Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Ward 7 Dems and Ward 8 Dems
Join GWAC as we participate in National Voter Registration Week. On Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, GWAC along with the WBA YLD, DC Board of Elections, Ward 7 Dems and Ward 8 Dems will be volunteering in person to register local high school students to vote. Details are forthcoming.
CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER.
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SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 | ISSUE 2
SAVE THE DATE
October 2021: Cocktails and Conversation: Weekly Discussion of HBO's Insecure Season 5 As the hit HBO series Insecure enters its final season, GWAC will be hosting fun weekly recaps of the show with guest co-hosts. So get your cocktails ready and tune in! Details are forthcoming.
October 7, 2021, 6:30pm-9:00pm EST: Virtual View and Chew: "My Name is Pauli Murray"
November 3, 2021, 12pm-4:45pm EST GWAC is proud to serve as a Community Sponsor for Diversity & Flexibility Alliance's Virtual Annual Conference. Diversity & Flexibility Alliance advocates for inclusion and diversity in the workplace and promotes flexible work schedules and fair hiring practices. GWAC members can use a special promotion code to receive 10% off of their registration. To learn more, click here.
This year, GWAC returns with its View and Chew programming, starting off with the film "My Name is Pauli Murray." This film chronicles the life and influence of non-binary Black attorney, artist and activist, Pauli Murray, who influenced legal giants such as Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. We will view the film over dinner and follow up with a brief discussion. Take a sneak peek of the trailer.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
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SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 | ISSUE 2
STATEMENT What is your signature style? Do you love stunning necklaces, cute frames, or a colorful shoe? Maybe a bold bowtie or an eclectic pair of cufflinks? As style consultant Melanie Lippman says "the best way to create a memorable personal brand is through repetition." When you think about former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, as part of her personal brand, she is known for her gorgeous gowns, dazzling dresses that reveal her sculpted arms. Within your personal style is also your personal brand, where one goes so does the other. If your clothes could talk, what would they say about you?
SOMETHING WE CALL OUR OWN: BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS SHOUTOUT Hunny Bunny Boutique is a DC based business operated by two young sisters, Nya and Zuri who offer a wide range of skin care products that are all natural and handmade. Hunny Bunny Boutique was a featured business in the GWAC Foundation's March 2021 fundraiser "A Woman's Work."To learn more about this amazing business click this link.
311 8th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 (202) 792-5209
DOLLARS AND SENSE Looking for ways to save money? Take a look at your bank account and note any recurring expenses such as subscriptions. Determine if these expenses are wants or needs. Identify if there is less expensive alternative services, providers, etc. that you can take advantage of. Check out the website of lawyer turned financial coach Jessica Medina for more money tips.
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SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 | ISSUE 2
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 October 14-16, 2021: The 32nd Annual Wiley A. Branton Symposium Mark your calendar for the NBA's 32nd Annual Wiley A. Branton Symposium taking place from Oct. 14-16, 2021 n Jackson, Mississippi. Each year, the National Bar Association’s Wiley A. Branton Symposium honors the legacy of a civil rights advocate and social justice engineer who fought tirelessly through his work in the courtroom to advance the progress of people of color by working to eradicate social injustices.
Region XII September 25, 2021: Region XII Cookout Hosted by GWAC and the Washington Bar Association The Region XII Cookout is back! NBA Region XII affiliate chapters GWAC and the Washington Bar Association will host this year's end of summer cookout on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. Location and additional details will be sent out. If you would like to volunteer at this event, please email us.
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SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 | ISSUE 2
ICYMI On August 21, 2021, GWAC members participated in its General Body Retreat. Attendees got a chance to learn more about one another and worked together to brainstorm program ideas and initiatives for the Bar Year.
#SelfCare Sunday During the time of Covid-19, one topic that has been heavily discussed and emphasized is self-care. As the words are written: caring for self, something that we all must do to preserve and protect our mental, physical and overall well-being. As the late writer, poet and civil rights activist Audre Lorde wrote "caring for myself is not selfindulgence, it is selfpreservation and that is an act of political
Member Spotlight 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. CONGRATULATIONS to our outstanding members for the month of September!
GWAC Past President Melanie E. Bates ABA Civil Rights and Social Justice Section Reelected Councilmember
warfare.” Self-care tip: spend the first 30 minutes of your day meditating. No phone, no tv or other distractions. Here's a guided meditation you can do on your own.
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SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 | ISSUE 1
BOARD VACANCIES Are you interested in serving alongside a group of dynamic women doing great work in the legal
MEMBERSHIP Benefits of Membership
profession and the community? Then the GWAC board is the place for you! We are looking to fill the
1. Sharpen your skills
roles below. If you are interested, please email a brief
2. Stay informed
statement of interest to info@gwacbar.org. Legislative Affairs Chair Social Action Chair Information Technology Chair
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.
PARTNERSHIP Experience the Power of a Justis Connection Membership When you become a Justis Connection subscriber, you unleash a powerful tool in your business development toolbox that conveniently
CONNECT
connects you to new clients, speaking opportunities, promotion through digital platforms, and so much more. As a GWAC member, you receive 10% off of annual membership! Access your code here.
PARTNERSHIP
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/
Women of Color in Community Development’s (WCCD) mission is to support the personal, educational and professional development of women of color engaged in fields related to community and economic development. GWAC members will be able to participate in WCCD's
To learn more about the National Bar Association, visit http://www.nationalbar.org/
"Entrust Black Women (EBW)" initiative which is designed to amplify Black women’s expertise, skills, and insights and support diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in our region. An aspect that GWAC members may greatly benefit from is EBW's resume bank where they can tap into additional employment opportunities.
GWAC's monthly newsletter will also be available on our website.