STAND UP FOR OURSELVES AND AMERICA

America is one of the biggest, most stable and richest nations on earth, boasting impressive democratic institutions and economic power. Founded as a beacon of liberty and idealism, we are in many ways a living tribute to our history and principles.

Unfortunately, America is still a work in progress. The reality of our way of life does not live up to our ideals. Health care and higher education are still unaffordable for many of our citizens. So many people remain underserved by the very institutions and laws set up for their protection. Our business and political institutions continue to compromise and curtail our liberties. And perhaps most astonishingly, women, the majority of our population, do not have equal rights under the law.

It’s often subtle, but cultural and economic discrimination against women still thrives. Recently, the U. S. Supreme Court voted to curtail the right to sue for disparate pay. The Court ruled against Lilly Ledbetter, a Georgia woman paid less than her less senior male co-workers at Goodyear, solely because of the date on which she discovered the company’s discriminatory policy. Unfortunately, Lilly Ledbetter is not alone; we all know women in the workforce paid less than their male counterparts. Often women choose not to sue for equal pay because they are afraid of retribution or being blackballed. Now, they have to worry that their discovery is too late. When Goodyear prevailed in the U.S. Supreme Court, it wasn’t just Lilly Ledbetter’s loss; it was a loss for all women.

Women have lost ground in other areas as well. With recession looming, New York State has cut social service programs benefiting women and children. Human trafficking laws and family leave acts passed by the U.S. Congress languish in the Senate. More people are uninsured today than sixteen years ago when President Clinton attempted to reform health care. Moreover, our hard won right to control our bodies hangs by a thread.

Women have had the vote since 1920, yet often vote against our best interests. We have allowed those who would deny us equal rights, including some of the leading opinion-makers in the country, to make feminism is a dirty word. Our passivity in pursuit of an Equal Rights Amendment has diminished our political power. Our failure to insure legislators and jurists are cognizant of our concerns has cost us equal pay. Tomorrow, it may cost us the right to choose.

We, as women, have the political and economic power to advocate for ourselves and for children, and should not be shy about asserting it. A bill to change the law that denied Ledbetter redress was defeated by four votes in the U.S. Senate. We’re not asking for much: merely that that our elected officials represent our interests. We need to use the power of our vote to insure the Lilly Ledbetters of this nation have the right to redress the wrongs against them. At the same time, we should use our formidable access to the media and our power of the purse, pardon the expression, to take action against companies that underpay or otherwise discriminate against women and legislators everywhere, who do not represent women’s interests.

The law, in large measure, codifies our nation’s ideals and makes manifest our concepts of freedom and justice. As women lawyers, we are in a uniquely powerful position to advance our own equality and the civil liberties of all who are oppressed. We need to step to the forefront of the fight for freedom here and abroad, and for the rights we hold dear and self-evident. We should promote laws and judicial appointments that are in keeping with the highest ideals of this country and the best interests not only of women, but all humanity. If we don’t, who will?

Lisa A. Sokoloff

Archives

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.