Legacy and Transition

It is with a mix of pride and emotion that I write my final message as President of the Association. It has been an exciting two years.

Our membership has increased to record levels, and as a result we have now have an additional Delegate on the statewide Board of Directors of WBASNY. Since we vote on legislation and other initiatives through WBASNY, having the added Delegate is important. Our members represent nearly 20 percent of WBASNY’s total membership. There is power in numbers, and we have shared our membership drive techniques with other WBASNY Chapters. As a whole, WBASNY itself is approaching a new record in statewide membership, and we expect that the Women’s Bar’s influence will continue to strengthen and grow.

During my presidency, we also revitalized NYWBA’s Judiciary Committee. We drafted updated procedures for reviewing the credentials of judicial candidates in New York County, appointed strong Chairs, and reaffirmed our commitment to conduct judicial screenings during both the primary and election cycles. Having a strong and capable judiciary is an essential component of our mission to ensure the fair and equal administration of justice. In addition to our own judicial screenings, we have also had a member serving on each of the countywide selection committees for both the Civil Court and the Supreme Court.

Our Committee Chairs have also been extraordinarily active and resilient. Among other accomplishments, Committees have offered a wide variety of cutting-edge programs – many for CLE credit. All of the CLE programs we organize are offered FREE to paid-up members, thanks to allocations from the generous bequest of our late Founder and Past President Hon. Florence Perlow Shientag.

In addition to programs, we have held extraordinary events throughout the two years of my Presidency – including our “Summer Program” on “What It’s REALLY Like to Practice Law as a Woman,” our fall Membership Reception, our winter Cocktail Reception Honoring Newly Elected, Re-Elected and Appointed Judges in New York County, our ballet and opera events, our Annual Meeting, and of course our Annual Awards & Installation Dinner. Each of these singular events holds special memories for me.

For 2014, we are dividing our “Annual Awards & Installation Dinner” into two parts. On May 8, we will hold an “Award Dinner & Conversation” honoring long-time member Honorable Sonia Sotomayor, Justice of the United States Supreme Court (see page 1). Next fall, we will hold a separate Installation Dinner to kick off the celebration of our 80th Anniversary year and to honor our incoming NYWBA Officers and Directors and WBASNY Delegates, including our distinguished new President Yacine Barry-Wun.

More information about the Installation Dinner will be announced in next month’s Newsletter. In the meantime, I am eager to see you all on May 8th at our Award Dinner, where I will present the President’s Special Award to Justice Sotomayor, and we will all have the honor of hearing her remarks.

As I reflect on my presidency, I cannot leave without thanking all of our members for making the Association such a successful venture. While I cannot thank everyone who made my two years as President so successful, I must acknowledge several individuals who made particularly outstanding contributions.

These include Executive Director Karen Lu, whose quiet competence and behind-the-scenes magic make all the difference; Past President and Director Elizabeth A. Bryson, whose wise counsel has been invaluable, whose knowledge of NYWBA procedures and protocols is unparalleled, and whose diligence ensures that nothing falls through the cracks; my very dependable and helpful Vice Presidents Yacine Barry-Wun, Jennifer P. Brown, and Julie Hyman; Treasurer Deborah G. Rosenthal, who has kept our fiscal house in order; our Recording Secretary and CLE Committee Chair Amy B. Goldsmith, who has worked tirelessly to make sure throughout the year that our CLE programs are top notch and fully accredited (and that attendees receive their certificates), and Corresponding Secretary and Matrimonial Committee Co-Chair Virginia A. LoPreto for her initiative and innovations. I thank as well our entire Board of Directors – as accomplished a group as any President could serve with.

Let’s not forget as well our fabulous Dinner Committee, spearheaded for the past few years by Past President and Director Jo Ann Douglas and Officer Jennifer P. Brown; our Programs & Events Committee Chairs – Diana Browne and Director Kay Marmorek; the Newsletter Committee team under the leadership of Kelly Schneid and Board Liaison Elizabeth Bryson; my President’s Liaison to the Committees Yacine Barry-Wun; our Director and Membership Committee Co-Chair Michael W. Appelbaum; our website team and particularly Annie Lee; and to all of our great Committee Chairs. It’s been an honor to serve alongside our amazing Officers, Directors, Delegates and Committee Chairs, and I thank them all.

It has also been a joy to work with the Chapter Presidents and other statewide representatives from the 18 Women’s Bar Associations across New York State and with the WBASNY Officers. Congratulations to outgoing WBASNY President Donna Frosco on an outstanding year, and to President-Elect Irene Villacci, who will be inducted as President during the WBASNY Convention on June 6-8, 2014. Our members Amy Saltzman will also be installed as a WBASNY Vice President, and Hon. Phyllis Gangel-Jacob will be honored with the prestigious Marilyn Mange Award.

The past two years have been such a fulfilling experience for me, working with esteemed colleagues and seeing the Association thrive. While I know that our work is far from done, and that challenges to women’s rights, equality, voting rights and on other fronts continue to present obstacles, I know we will keep up the fight and endure.

I also know that President-Elect Yacine Barry-Wun will lead the Association with distinction starting on June 1, 2014. I trust that each of you will support the NYWBA under our new leaders, will renew your membership for years to come, and will continue to help the NYWBA grow and be a force for equality under the law.

Jackie

Archives

April 2014

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Our Extraordinary Members".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

March 2014

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "NYWBA Reaches Major Milestone!".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2014

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Honoring Our Judiciary and Planning for the Future".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2014

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Our Struggling Family Courts".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

November 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "A Busy Fall Season".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

October 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "A Sense of Community".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

September 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "An Exciting Year Ahead!".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

June 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "A Time for Celebrating and Making Plans".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

May 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Reflecting on Our Extraordinary Year".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

April 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Fighting for Equality".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "So Much To Celebrate!".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Happy New Year".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

November 2012

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Strength in Numbers".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

October 2012

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "The Power of Membership".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

September 2012

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Our Important Mission".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

June 2012

In her President's Message, Patricia Ann Grant titled her message "Opportunities and Transitions".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

April 2012

In her President's Message, Patricia Ann Grant titled her message "Discrimination Against Women Continues".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2012

In her President's Message, Patricia Ann Grant titled her message "A New Year".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2011

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

January 2011

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

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.