Our History, Our Future

March is Women's History Month, and this year it also coincides with NYWBA’s 80th anniversary! We are celebrating this month in more ways than one, with important projects and programs that are central to our mission. We have started working on an oral history project! We are recording interview vignettes of our Association’s distinguished octogenarian members who entered the profession over 50 years ago, and devoted their efforts to breaking down barriers in the profession and enriching our Association. We thank NYWBA Advisory Board Member and Past President Hon. Lisa Sokoloff for coming up with this wonderful concept, parts of which we hope to unveil at our Installation and Award Dinner on June 10.

Speaking of history and highlighting the contributions of women jurists to the profession, we are kicking off celebrations in a big way with the co-sponsorship of the Meet the Chiefs program on March 4. We are celebrating a historic time with four women chief judges presiding in the Southern and Eastern Districts. Join us to hear and network with Hon. Loretta A. Preska, Chief Judge, S.D.N.Y., Hon. Carol Bagley Amon, Chief Judge, E.D.N.Y., Hon. Cecelia G. Morris, Chief Judge, Bankruptcy Court, S.D.N.Y, and Hon. Carla E. Craig, Chief Judge, Bankruptcy Court, E.D.N.Y. at the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse.

We also have two other exciting programs for our federal and commercial law practitioners. On March 12, the Alternative Dispute Resolution and Litigation Committees will hold a CLE on Mediation in the Commercial Division and in the Southern District of New York. On March 19, the Federal Practice Committee is holding a CLE entitled Injunctive Relief: A Judge’s Perspective in the Commercial Division of the NYS Supreme Court.

For the first time, the Diversity Committee is co-sponsoring a MentorJet Program with the National Association of Women Judges on March 9. We hope you will sign up to participate in this speed-networking evening with New York City area law students (see p. 8). Please join us also for the Nineteenth Annual Fordham Forum on Domestic Violence co-sponsored by the Domestic Violence Committee on March 2 and 3.

Going forward with advancing the status of women in the political arena, the International Women’s Rights Committee is holding a screening of a noteworthy documentary film, Madame Presidenta: Why Not U.S.?, and a panel discussion on promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment on March 12, which is planned to coincide with the fifty-ninth session of United Nations' Commission on the Status of Women in New York.

We have had quite an active winter so far. On January 29, Vice President Jennifer P. Brown and I attended the Network of Bar Leaders’ Special Meeting and Reception at the New York City Bar Association where we had the opportunity to hear remarks delivered by Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman as he shared his vision for his last year in office, and mingle with the administrative judges and supervising judges of the NYS Unified Court System in a relaxed atmosphere.

Last month, I had the pleasure to attend two NYWBA keynote events, our annual Mentoring Circles Reception where our keynote speaker, Hon. Loretta A. Preska, delighted us with her inspiring remarks, and our annual Judicial Reception at the Yale Club, which was a smashing success. Don’t miss our pictures and reports on these events in our next issue.

In the midst of all these activities, we must not forget to take care of ourselves. Few people know that one in three women die of heart disease and stroke. Having abruptly lost a cousin to a heart attack last fall, learning about prevention and observing Heart Health Month resonated with me more than ever this year. We took action, and held our first Go Red for Women program to raise awareness about heart health on February 24 with our co-sponsors, the New York County Civil, Family and Criminal Court Gender and Fairness Committees and the NYS Courts Access to Justice Community Outreach Program.

On a lighter note, last month we were delighted to join others in the celebration of Black History Month and in saluting the contributions of NYWBA member Hon. Fern A. Fisher in the fight for racial and gender equality as the New York County Lawyers' Association and the Metropolitan Black Bar Association bestowed on her the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Justice Award.

I look forward to participating with you in this month’s celebration of women’s history as we build on our accomplishments thus far, and help forge a bright future for our colleagues.

Yacine

Archives

February2015

In her President's Message, Yacine Barry-Wun titled her message "Promoting Professional Growth and Celebrating our Judiciary".
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January 2015

In her President's Message, Yacine Barry-Wun titled her message "Outreach, Mentoring & Leadership ".
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November 2014

In her President's Message, Yacine Barry-Wun titled her message "Gratitude and Opportunity ".
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October 2014

In her President's Message, Yacine Barry-Wun titled her message "Celebrating the NYWBA Community".
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September 2014

In her President's Message, Yacine Barry-Wun titled her message "Celebrating Our 80th Anniversary in 2014-2015!".
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June 2014

In her President's Message, Yacine Barry-Wun titled her message "Serving Our Members".
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May 2014

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Legacy and Transition".
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April 2014

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Our Extraordinary Members".
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March 2014

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "NYWBA Reaches Major Milestone!".
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February 2014

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Honoring Our Judiciary and Planning for the Future".
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January 2014

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Our Struggling Family Courts".
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November 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "A Busy Fall Season".
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October 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "A Sense of Community".
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September 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "An Exciting Year Ahead!".
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June 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "A Time for Celebrating and Making Plans".
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May 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Reflecting on Our Extraordinary Year".
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April 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Fighting for Equality".
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February 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "So Much To Celebrate!".
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January 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Happy New Year".
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November 2012

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Strength in Numbers".
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October 2012

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "The Power of Membership".
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September 2012

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Our Important Mission".
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June 2012

In her President's Message, Patricia Ann Grant titled her message "Opportunities and Transitions".
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April 2012

In her President's Message, Patricia Ann Grant titled her message "Discrimination Against Women Continues".
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January 2012

In her President's Message, Patricia Ann Grant titled her message "A New Year".
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February 2011

In her President's Message, Gretchen Beall Schumann titled her message ""Growth, Education & Advancement".
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January 2011

In her President's Message, Gretchen Beall Schumann titled her message "Happy New Year!".
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November - December 2010

In her President's Message, Gretchen Beall Schumann titled her message "Season's Greetings". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

October 2010

In her President's Message, Gretchen Beall Schumann titled her message "Harvest". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

September 2010

In her President's Message, Gretchen Beall Schumann titled her message "The Benefits of Sharing". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

June 2010

In her President's Message, Gretchen Beall Schumann titled her message "In Remembrance". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

May 2010

In her President's Message, Donna M. Praiss titled her message "Mothers and Role Models". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

April 2010

In her President's Message, Donna M. Praiss titled her message "Spring Cleaning". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

March 2010

In her President's Message, Donna M. Praiss titled her message "The Reality of Elder Care". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2010

In her President's Message, Donna M. Praiss titled her message "Helping Hands". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2010

In her President's Message, Donna M. Praiss titled her message "The New Life Balance ". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

December 2009

In her President's Message, Donna M. Praiss titled her message "Beyond Firsts". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

November 2009

In her President's Message, Donna M. Praiss titled her message "Finding Inspiration". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

October 2009

In her President's Message, Donna M. Praiss titled her message "Can I Give You A Hug?". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

June 2008

In her President's Message, Lisa A. Sokoloff titled her message "STAND UP FOR OURSELVES AND AMERICA". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

April 2008

In her President's Message, Lisa A. Sokoloff spoke about "Re-Evaluating A "Victimless" Crime". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

March 2008

In her President's Message, Lisa A. Sokoloff spoke about celebrating the women in our lives. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2008

In her President's Message, Lisa A. Sokoloff spoke about continuing the struggle against gender bias. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

December 2007

In her President's Message, Lisa A. Sokoloff spoke about making 2008 the best year ever for the NYWBA. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

November 2007

In her President's Message, Lisa A. Sokoloff spoke about the summary of results from our first annual survey on the status of women working in Manhattan law firms. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

September 2007

In her President's Message, Lisa A. Sokoloff spoke about GENERATIVITY. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

June 2007

In her President's Message, Lisa A. Sokoloff spoke about how "Our Work is Not Done". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

May 2007

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller reviewed this year's events. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

April 2007

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on the importance of rainmaking. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

March 2007

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on gender diversity in large law firms. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2007

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on lessons in humility. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2007

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on the benefits of dual membership in the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

December 2006

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on the importance of pro bono service. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

November 2006

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on military wives as unsung military heroes.To view the President's Message in full, click here.

October 2006

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller Teresa Schiller reflected on the importance of making our worlds larger again. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

September 2006

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller Teresa Schiller reflected on the importance of building a network of women lawyers. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

July 2006

In her inaugural President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on the importance of community. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

Spring 2006

In her President's column in the Spring issue, President Christina Kallas discussed how women continue to lag behind men when it comes to earning power, and suggests that this is one more item for the legislature to address as it considers 'no-fault' divorce legislation. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

March 2006

For Women's History Month, Christina Kallas reflected upon how far we have yet to go. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2006

In her column for February President Christina Kallas asked us to consider what it is we pay attention to in our culture. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2006

In her column for January President Christina Kallas asked, "Do we (still) need a women's bar association?" To view the President's Message in full, click here.

December 2005

In her column for December President Christina Kallas discusses the Mental Health Court initiative. To view the President's message in full, click here.

November 2005

In her column for November President Christina Kallas asked us all to honor the memory of Ms. Rosa Parks by making one change. To view the President's message in full, click here.

October 2005

In her column for October in honor of Mediation Settlement Month, President Christina Kallas discusses whether mediation is an underused tool in a lawyer's toolbox. To view the President's message in full, click here.

September 2005

In her column for September, President Christina Kallas reflected upon the changes in our country since September 11th. To view the President's message in full, click here.

June 2005

In her column for June, President Christina Kallas discusses change and continuity. To view the President's message in full, click here.

April 2005

In her column in April, President Elizabeth Bryson talked about sexual politics and "women's work." She took issue with Harvard President Lawrence Summers' recent remarks implying that women are innately less suited to pursing careers in science or engineering. Such retrograde thinking is self-defeating. Mr. Summers had to apologize, and Harvard is now actively address the status of women in academia. Ms. Bryson also discussed upcoming events, including the Association's Annual Meeting, a CLE program on "Evolving Opportunities for Women' Lawyers," the Foundation's next fundraising breakfast, the WBASNY Convention, and of course our fantastic 70th Anniversary celebration on June 1st. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2005

In her column in February, President Elizabeth Bryson talked about matters of life and death. She related the experiences of a friend fighting breast cancer and her mother and family addressing the loss of two brothers to AIDS several years ago, and how each circumstance, though very different, teaches us once again the importance of choosing to live life to its fullest every day. By contrast, she considers the proposal in the NYS Legislature to reinstate the death penalty, and WBASNY's brave stance in opposition. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2005

In her column in January, President Elizabeth Bryson discussed the importance of taking steps to ensure that judges in New York have the appropriate qualifications and integrity to ensure the fair and equal administration of justice. She discusses pending legislation and proposed amendments to the Rules of Judicial Conduct that would have an influence on the method of selecting state court judges and the rules that would apply to candidates for judicial office in New York. Ms. Bryson was honored to chair a WBASNY Task Force to look at the proposed legislation and rule changes, and she discusses the process and proposals. She also describes the recent gala celebration WBASNY's 25 Anniversary and the wonderful presentation of the inaugural "Betty Weinberg Ellerin Mentoring Award" to Justice Ellerin. Finally, she reminds everyone of the importance of ensuring that their membership is renewed by January 31, 2005. New members are also welcome, and they can join for half-price dues starting in January! To view the President's Message in full, click here.

December 2004

In her column in December, President Elizabeth Bryson discussed the importance of speaking out and being heard. She demonstrated the value of the Association's screening of candidates for judicial office, particularly now, when the integrity of the judiciary is under attack. Because many of our members practice in solo and small firm settings, Ms. Bryson recommended that members appear before the Commission on Solo and Small Firm Practice, which is holding hearings and looking for comments, concerns and suggestions to make the lives of attorneys in these settings and their clients easier. Members should also plan to join us at several upcoming events that promise to be very exciting, including the NYWBA Foundation's Breakfast Series Speaker Event, a fundraiser scheduled for December 1st, WBASNY's 25th Anniversary Gala on December 2nd that will pay tribute to our own past President, the Honorable Betty Weinberg Ellerin, for her nearly 50 years of mentoring and service to women attorneys and judges throughout New York and across the country, and the New York Women's Agenda's Star Breakfast on December 7th. To view the President's message in full, click here.

November 2004

In her column in November, President Elizabeth Bryson celebrated all the wonderful programs and events that happened this fall, including our Annual Membership Reception. She also discussed the recent controversy with respect to screening the qualifications of candidates for judicial office in New York County, which became the subject of an article in the New York Law Journal. To view the President's message in full, click here.

September 2004

In her column in September, President Elizabeth Bryson asked members to join her in celebrating the Association's 70th Anniversary year (2004-05). Coincidentally, it was also the 25th anniversary year for the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY), which is the umbrella organization for all 16 women's bar associations across New York State. The NYWBA and its past President Joan Ellenbogen were instrumental in the formation of WBASNY, and it is a joy to see that it is flourishing. This is Beth's second term as President, and in her column she discussed the excitement of continuing programs begun last year and new programs that will begin this year. She also congratulated everyone who was involved in the wonderful year-end festivities, including our Annual Dinner and the WBASNY Convention. To view the President's message in full, click here.

April 2005

In her column for April, President Elizabeth Bryson congratulated several women who make history every day, including the 11 honorees designated for Women's History Month by the National Women's History Project and the New York City Commission on Women. She provided an update on the proposed rules that we have supported to allow asylum for women who are victims of domestic violence or other brutality that is directly or indirectly endorsed by their country's governments. Ms. Bryson also highlighted numerous upcoming events, including the NYWBA Annual Meeting and the Annual Ethics Forum, both in April, and the Women's Bar Convention in New Orleans and the NYWBA Annual Dinner, both in May. To view the President's message in full, click here. .

March 2004

In her March 2004 column, Ms. Bryson notes that NYWBA's membership has increased by over 33 percent from last year, and nearly 50% from two years ago. She praises the terrific work of NYWBA members, Officers, Board members, Committee Chairs, and others who worked on our membership drive and demonstrate why our bar association is so important, strong and vital. She also salutes two people who may not be lawyers but whose contributions are absolutely invaluable to the Association and the NYWBA Foundation - Executive Director Marta Toro and NYWBA Foundation member Denise Coleman. "Our Association is blessed with so many wonderful women and men who contribute their talents." To view the President's message in full, click here.

February 2004

In her February 2004 column, Ms. Bryson discussed the importance of mentoring and networking, especially for women attorneys. She also announces that the Association's Annual Meeting will be on April 28, 2004, when the 2004-05 officers and directors will be elected. Our gala Annual Dinner will be on May 26, 2004. At that event, awards will be presented to Linda Greenhouse, Pulitzer Prize winning author and New York Times reporter covering the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Hon. Jacqueline Silbermann, Administrative Judge of the NY County Supreme Court and Chief Administrative Judge for NYS Matrimonial Courts. To view the President's message in full, click here.

December 2003

In her December 2003 column, NYWBA President Elizabeth Bryson profiled important issues for our military, including the incidents of rape and sexual harassment at our military academies, the scourge of domestic violence, and the shameful track record of "don't ask, don't tell." She also discussed our exciting membership drive and the Reception Honoring Newly Elected and Appointed Judges. To view the President's message in full, click here.

November 2003

In her November 2003 column, NYWBA President Elizabeth Bryson discusses the importance and benefits of membership, as well as the recent visit of distinguished attorneys from Malaysia who were invited by the U.S. State Department to meet with NYWBA representatives. To view the President's message in full, click here.