WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
OUR 9TH ANNUAL WOMEN’S ISSUE These 12 extraordinary women impact our city in ways big and small. We’re honored to share their stories. PHOTOG RAPHY B Y J OHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
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A N A B EL ROSA SHAREHOLDER/PARTNER, LAW OFFICES OF JAMES SCOTT FARRIN he plane was tiny, Anabel Rosa remembers, a blue puddle-jumper. As she and New York City mayor David Dinkins flew over Boston, he pointed down at the clear blue channel beneath them. “That’s where the Boston Tea Party happened,” he shouted over the noise. Anabel, an assistant press secretary at the time, drew a blank face. “I know that’s American history,” she said, “but I have to admit, I don’t know the full story.” Mayor Dinkins looked at her kindly, knowing what she meant. “I’ve been thinking about law school,” she continued. “And I want to study the Constitution. I’m excited about it every time I read it.” When they landed, Dinkins pointed again, this time at her. “You’re going to law school,” he said. At this point, Anabel had worked for him for four years, a whirlwind experience that included meeting her idol, Nelson Mandela, who dedicated his life to equality. A year after that plane ride, Anabel was on her way to doing the same, starting with her acceptance to Brooklyn Law School. It’s hard to believe how far Anabel has come in the three decades since. She left New York the year after 9/11 and moved to Puerto Rico to work as an attorney, notary and real estate agent for a few years before officially planting roots in Durham. Now she is one of the city’s upand-coming civil rights attorneys. Her initial hesitations about moving back to the States were alleviated after an interview with the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin. They shared her same enthusiasm about working with clients
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