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entered the workforce during the war found themselves once again homemakers, as job preference went to those who had served in combat. The U.S. economy was thriving, and the legal profession followed suit, The State Bar of Texas was planning to hold its annual meeting in Houston in 1948, and HBA President Palmer Hutcheson believed women could provide the organization, guidance and leadership to ensure a successful convention. Social events that appealed to both lawyers Reagan Cartwright, then serving as president of the Houston Junior Bar Association (now the Houston Young Lawyers AssoPhyllis Tucker, Dorothy Weatherly, and Marjorie Werlein. On April 18, 72

houston bar association auxiliary: A History of Service to the Bar and Community

By tArA ShocKley

The Houston Bar Association Auxiliary (HBAA) was founded in 1947.1 World War II was over, and many women who had women were present as the new auxiliary adopted a constitution, elected Virginia Noel as president, and set annual dues at $2. On May 10, charter memberships were designated for 199 women and the HBAA held its first regular meeting at River Oaks Recreation Center.

Over the next two years, HBAA members were integral to the development and organization of some of the Houston Bar’s largest events. In addition to the State Bar Annual Meeting, the HBAA, which had grown to well over 300 members, organized, planned and executed four major events for the HBA and the Junior Bar; devised a cutting-edge registration system for large conventions; orchestrated social events, including transportation; and hosted a style show in conjunction with the National Association of Attorneys General.2

In 1949, the HBAA was instrumental in organizing the first Harvest Party, which would become the legal community’s premier fall social event, attracting more than 1,000 attorneys and guests each year. The HBAA continues to play a role in what is now known as the

Harvest Celebration, which in 2009 became the main fundraiser for the HBA’s pro bono program, Houston Volunteer Lawyers.

although there were still few women lawyers.

When the HBA first decided

Photos from the state bar of texas Convention and a luncheon for spouses during the national association of attorneys General Convention in the 1940s. to have an annual dinner in 1961, the HBA Board called on the Auxiliary to help organize it at the Houston Club.

Today, the HBAA president and spouse sit at the head table at the annual dinner, and the president of the Auxiliary serves as an ex officio member of the HBA Board of Directors.

and their spouses were planned. Hutcheson asked Virginia Noel, who was herself a lawyer, and By the 1980s, the HBA and

Five of the original 12 organizing Members of 2019-2020 hbaa President Keisha the hbaa. seated: nancy Collie reed, Maxine Phillips presents the hbaa Jaworski Cook and Phyllis tucker. standing: elsie award to stewart Gagnon in March Pressler and Marjorie Werlein. 2020. the HBAA acknowledged “a pervasive negativism about the legal profession, a loss of esteem for practicing attorneys, and a lack of respect for the law

and the U.S. system of justice

by citizens.”3 The HBA realized that lawyers needed to be more ciation) to organize a Women’s engaged with their community Auxiliary to the HBA. through pro bono legal service, Noel gathered 12 women support for local nonprofits, who would become known as the 1st place team from hughes Watters askanase at the February 2020 Chili and Pie and public education about the Organizing Founders at the Cookoff, benfiting the law school scholarship program of the hbaa Charitable Fund. the law. The HBAA established Houston Club on February 27, 1947. In addition to Virginia Noel, those the Houston Bar Auxiliary Charitable Fund, Inc. and developed its own women were Ruth Brown, Jean Cartwright, Maxine Cook, Nancy Col- community service projects. The Auxiliary created a library of law-related lie, Caroline Hutcheson, Mildred Patterson, Elsie Pressler, Lorna Terrell, video tapes for use in schools and community organizations, organized

educational classes for senior citizens, and hosted receptions for new citizens after naturalization ceremonies. The HBAA also began distributing a handbook to high school seniors called “Now You are 18,” which explains the rights and responsibilities of reaching legal age. HBAA members read hundreds of essays as judges for Harris County’s “Do the Write Thing” program, which gives students the opportunity to examine their feelings about experiences with violence, changes in their lives, and how their actions can affect others. Through its Charitable Fund, the HBAA also financially supports many HBA service projects, including Habitat, the John J. Eikenburg Law Week Fun Run, the HAY Center, and the Harvest Celebration

In 1988, the HBAA created its most prestigious honor, the Leon Jaworski Award, named after the eminent Texas attorney, law professor, war crimes prosecutor, and Watergate special prosecutor. The award is given annually to an individual lawyer solely for his or her non-legal community service, and honors all lawyers whose community involvement enhances the image of the legal profession. To commemorate the award, the HBAA commissioned a sculpture entitled “Family,” that symbolizes a family enveloped in the protective arms of the law. The sculpture was originally located in the Houston Family Law Center and now stands in the lobby of the Juvenile Justice Center, along with a plaque that lists all Jaworski Award recipients.

In 2004, the HBAA established a scholarship program, awarding $5,000 to a deserving student at a Houston law school. In 2007, the program expanded to award a $5,000 scholarship to a student at each of Houston’s three law schools. In 2015, Hazel Donato, then president of the HBAA, had the idea to start a chili and pie cook off to raise money for the scholarship fund. The event is now held at the Bayou City Pavilion and attracts over 250 people, as well as about 15 teams from law firms and legal organizations. Members of the Harris County judiciary serve as judges, and an entry fee entitles participants to enjoy chili, pie, drinks, decorated booths, and music. The Houston Young Lawyers Association partners with the HBAA on the event, next planned in January 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the HBAA’s roots may have been based on more traditional roles for women, the group has always evolved with the times. Pearson Grimes, president of the HBA in 1990-91, was the first male to join the HBAA, and Greg Griffin was the first male to serve as president of the HBAA in 2018. Many HBAA members are professional women, and several attorneys have served as president, including current president Dominique Varner, an attorney with Hughes Watters Askanase LLP.

HBAA events now include cooking classes with well-known chefs, wine tastings, and volunteering for HBA community and educational programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Auxiliary has found creative ways to hold virtual events to remain connected and engaged with its members. “At this 150th anniversary of the HBA, the 73-year-old Auxiliary continues to enjoy its social and volunteer contributions to the Houston Bar Association,” said Carmela Frels, the 50th president of the HBAA.

Tara Shockley is the associate executive director/communications director for the Houston Bar Association and serves as managing editor of The Houston Lawyer. She would like to thank Carmela Frels and Dominque Varner for their assistance on this article, as well as all of the amazing women who have been part of the HBAA.