The Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia (WBA or Association) is a voluntary bar association in metropolitan Washington, D.C. The WBA has more than 800 members and was founded in 1917.
Leadership and governance The WBA is led by a Board of Directors that is elected by the general membership each year. Board Members generally serve three-year terms and officers serve one-year terms. A large part of the WBA’s programming and initiative work is carried out by its numerous Committees and Forums. The Co-Chairs of the Committees and Forum organize events and networking opportunities, and support the community of women attorneys and its allies.
Programming and events The WBA's Committees and Forums develop and organize a wide variety of dynamic programming. WBA programs include discussions about substantive legal issues, practice development, career development, and matters of general concern to all women. These programs feature experts, authors, dignitaries, and government officials, many of whom are WBA members.
In July 2020, the WBA hosted an event called "Where are the Black Women Lawyers in Leadership Positions?" in collaboration with he Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers Division, National Bar Association (GWAC).
The Annual Dinner is held each year in May at the National Building Museum. Typically, more than 600 people attend from a variety of practice areas, law firms, government agencies, and other professional backgrounds. The proceeds from the evening support the ongoing efforts of the WBA and the WBA Foundation.
The Stars of the Bar Fall Networking Reception hosts more than 300 people. During the event the WBA honors stars of the legal community and provides an opportunity for learning about WBA programs and services, with networking stations for each committee and forum to discuss upcoming programming in various attorney interests and fields of law.
Registration to attend WBA events is available on the WBA website.
Publications The WBA publishes a quarterly newsletter called "Raising the Bar" that features content produced by its membership.
Advocacy The WBA uses issue statements, endorsements, and initiatives to advance the interests of women lawyers. The issue statements are on topics ranging from equal pay to domestic violence to the Equal Rights Amendment. The WBA endorses executive and judicial nominees who request the support and are then vetted by the WBA.
Awards and honors The WBA bestows various recognition awards: Woman Lawyer of the Year; Janet Reno Torchbearer Award; the Mussey-Gillett Shining Star Award and Stars of the Bar."Awards & Recognition" Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
Janet Reno Torchbearer Award recipients 2016 Honorable Loretta E. Lynch 2012 Sheila Bair 2011 Dovey Johnson Roundtree 2008 Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 2007 Judith Areen 2001 Honorable Wilma Lewis 1998 Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton 1997 Justice Sandra Day O'Connor 1996 Honorable Janet Reno
Woman Lawyer of the Year Award recipients 2024 Ellen JakovicMurph, John "WBA Honors Ellen Jakovic With Woman Lawyer of the Year Award" DC Bar, May 24, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024. 2023 Jo-Ann Wallace"UK CIC Board of Directors" Responsible Business Initiative for Justice. Retrieved October 11, 2024. 2022 Anita Josey-Herring"June 2022 President's Letter" National Association of Women Judges. June 1, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2024. 2021 Grace E. Speights"WBA Announces Woman Lawyer of the Year: Grace E. Speights, Partner, Morgan Lewis" WBA. Retrieved October 13, 2024. 2020 Jeannie Rhee 2019 Laurie Robinson Haden 2018 Hon Anna Blackburne-Rigsby 2017 Ana C. Reyes 2016 LTG Flora Darpino 2015 Judith Scott 2014 Judy Smith 2013 Hon. Vanessa Ruiz 2012 Katia Garrett 2011 Sherri N. Blount and Debra L. Lee 2010 Nancy Duff Campbell 2009 Justice Elena Kagan 2008 Mary Kennard 2007 Kim M. Keenan 2006 Judith Miller 2005 Hon. Noel Anketell Kramer 2004 Cory M. Amron 2003 Hon. Annice M. Wagner 2002 Carolyn Lamm 2001 Hon. Delissa Ridgeway 2000 Eleanor Acheson 1999 Patricia D. Gurne 1998 Hon. Norma Holloway Johnson 1997 Judith Winston 1996 Marcia Greenberger 1995 Pauline Schneider 1994 Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 1993 Jamie S. Gorelick 1992 Elizabeth Dole 1992 Elaine Ruth Jones 1992 Hon. Patricia McGowan Wald 1991 Sara-Ann Determan 1990 Hon. Judith Rogers 1989 Judith Lichtman 1988 Patricia Price Bailey 1987 Betty S. Murphy 1986 Jean Ramsay Bower 1985 Marna S. Tucker 1984 Hon. Patricia McGowan Wald 1983 Hon. Gladys Kessler 1982 Florence King 1981 Brooksley Born 1980 Hon. Helen Nies 1980 Hon. Edna G. Parker 1979 Hon. Joyce Hens Green 1978 Jean Dwyer 1977 Suzanne V. Richards 1976 Ruth Hankins-Nesbitt 1975 Hon. Roslyn Bell 1974 A. Patricia Frohman 1973 Margaret A. Haywood 1973 Louise O'Neil 1971 Margaret H. Brass 1970 Catherine B. Kelly 1969 Burnita Shelton Matthews 1968 Una Rita Morris Quenstedt 1967 Elizabeth Bunten 1966 Hon. June L. Green 1965 Marguerite Rawalt
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