AUGUST 4, 2021 | ISSUE 1
The Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers Division, National Bar Association
GWAC GAZETTE "Living Our Mission, Empowering Our Community, Building Our Legacy"
WELCOME TO THE 2021-22 BAR YEAR! In 1974, The Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers Division of the National Bar Association (GWAC) was established as a network of African-American women attorneys dedicated to the professional development of its members. GWAC is committed to improving the quality of life in the Greater Washington D.C. area through a variety of activities, including educational programs and community service projects. GWAC officially kicked off the 2021-2022 Bar Year on July 1, 2021. The theme for this year is "Living Our Mission, Empowering Our Community, Building Our Legacy." With this in mind, GWAC will focus on several areas this bar year including membership, mentorship, partnership, and self-care. We look forward to resuming our in-person programming and incorporating new and exciting ideas while enjoying our signature events and traditions. To ensure you have a rich experience, we welcome your feedback.
OTHER STORIES INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Events
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Save The Date
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ICYMI
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Kudos Corner
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Member Spotlight
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Board Vacancies
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What's New: Member
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Directory What's New: Member Business Directory
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AUGUST 4, 2021 | ISSUE 1
EVENTS August 3, 2021: Black Women's Equal Pay Day Yesterday marked the approximate day a Black woman must work into the new year to make
SAVE THE DATE September 21, 2021 at 6pm ET: A Conversation on Reimagining Systems of Enforcement
what white non-Hispanic men made at the end of 2020. GWAC had a social media campaign to bring awareness to this issue and to advocate for equal pay. Visit our social media pages!
August 21, 2021, 9am-1pm ET: GWAC General Body Retreat
Join GWAC and the Hispanic Bar Association of DC on Sept. 21st at 6pm ET 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.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
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AUGUST 4, 2021 | ISSUE 1
ICYMI On July 31, 2021, GWAC members participated in its Inaugural Barbara E. Whiting-Wright Founder's Day of Service, in honor of GWAC's founding president. Attendees engaged in a garden workday at the DC Bilingual Public Charter School in northeast DC.
Kudos Corner This past spring, GWAC participated in the Food From the Bar DC campaign to address hunger in DC. GWAC raised $1,179—over double our goal—and earned 1,879 points! GWAC's donations equal 2,358 meals for the DC community! Food From the Bar raised a total of $670,390. Thank you to all those who donated, your contributions have made a significant impact in combatting hunger in the District.
On July 27, 2021, GWAC co-sponsored "Diversifying the Fight for Justice: Women of Color Appellate Litigators Panel," with the South Asian Bar Association of DC, along with several other diverse bars. Topics that were discussed included the importance of mentorship and the reality of Imposter Syndrome.
Carmen Iguina Gonzalez Senior Staff Attorney ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project
Tiffany Wright Orrick Scholar Howard University School of Law
Zainab A. Chaudhry Principal Court Attorney New York State Court of Appeals
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AUGUST 4, 2021 | ISSUE 1
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
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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 with the National Bar Association (NBA), the Washington Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (WBA YLD), and more! CONGRATULATIONS to our outstanding members for the month of August!
GWAC Past President Janea J. Hawkins NBA 40 Under 40 Awardee
Misam B. Ali NBA 40 Under 40 Awardee
GWAC Past President Erinn D. Martin Maryland The Daily Record VIP List
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Natasha Hudgins WBA YLD Chair's Legacy Award
Patrice A. Sulton NBA YLD Lendon J. Alexander Advocacy & Leadership Award
GWAC Past President Grace E. Speights Women's Bar Association of DC Woman of the Year Award
Henry E. Floyd, Jr. Maryland The Daily Record VIP List
Akua Coppock NBA The Maynard Jackson Award
2020-21 NBA YLD Chair Onika K. Williams NBA: The Maynard Jackson Award WBA YLD: Kim Keenan Advocacy & Leadership Award ABA: Embracing Diversity Challenge Program Winner for NBA YLD
Charlyn Stanberry NBA Women Lawyers Division Achievement Award for Politics
GWAC Charlotte E. Ray Chair Jeanine Howard WBA YLD Kim Keenan Advocacy & Leadership Award
GWAC Past President Carla Jordan-Detamore ABA 2021 On The Rise Award Top 40 Young Lawyers
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AUGUST 4, 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. Public Relations Chair Legislative Affairs Chair Social Action Chair
3. Expand your client base 4. Obtain help finding a job or changing careers 5. Help improve the Washington DC metro area
MEMBER DIRECTORY
If you have yet to join or to renew your membership, now is the time! Click here to get started.
All GWAC members have been added to a new online member directory, where you will be able to search for members if you are in need of referrals. Your name, practice area, and email address will be visible in the
CONNECT
directory. There is also an option to opt out of being included in the directory.
MEMBER BUSINESS DIRECTORY Do you have a business in addition to your law career and
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/
want to promote it? Great news! GWAC members can now promote their business through an online directory. If you want to be featured, send the information below to info@gwacbar.org. This directory is expected to be available online starting in September 2021. GWAC has discretion to exclude businesses as it deems appropriate.
To learn more about the National Bar Association, visit http://www.nationalbar.org/
Name of business Service(s) offered Contact number Contact email address Website
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