[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 104 (Thursday, July 12, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WOMEN LAWYERS DIVISION OF THE 
                        NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 12, 2012

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing the Women Lawyers Division, WLD, of the National Bar 
Association, NBA, on its 40th Anniversary Celebration in Las Vegas, 
Nevada.
  The Women Lawyers Division was formally established in 1972 as a 
vehicle for women in the practice of law to address the issues and 
problems that particularly affect the interests and concerns of 
African-American women.
  The WLD had its genesis during 1971 when an informal coalition of 19 
women members of the National Bar Association discussed soliciting new 
NBA members to run for national offices. These women decided there were 
many issues they should consider addressing. Therefore, on August 5, 
1971, Ruth Harvey Charity convened the first organizational meeting of 
NBA women lawyers in Atlanta, Georgia.
  In 1975, the Women Lawyers Division sponsored its first seminar at 
the NBA national convention. The WLD hosts seminars at each annual 
convention, addressing the following subjects: impact of juvenile law 
on the family; domestic violence; energy law; sexual harassment; child 
advocacy; international law; professional ethics; post conviction 
relief; law teaching and trial techniques; ascending to the bench and 
judicial selection methods; the Internet and personal computer 
technology; rainmaking and leadership for women.
  In 1977, Ruth Harvey Charity was elected a Vice President of the 
National Bar Association, which was the first time in 25 years a woman 
held so high a position within the NBA. In 1981, another WLD member, 
Arnette R. Hubbard, was elected the first President of the NBA, and 
Alice Bonner, another founder of the WLD, was installed as the first 
woman President of the NBA Judicial Council Division. Since that year, 
eight other WLD members have served as President of the NBA.
  The Supreme Court swearing-in tradition began in 1981 and continues 
today. Each spring, the Women Lawyers Division supports a group of 
National Bar Association members for admission to appear before the 
U.S. Supreme Court. This ceremony is held annually in an effort to 
enhance the posture of African-American lawyers as legal advocates and 
to increase the number of minority lawyers who are readily available to 
represent their clients before this nation's highest court.
  The WLD will kick off its 40th Anniversary Celebration with its 
Inaugural ``Respect Yourself'' Day, which will be a special salute to 
African-American women and girls to encourage love and respect for 
themselves and their fellow sisters. The WLD will host its Fourth 
Annual ``Respect Yourself'' Mentor Program to educate young, at-risk 
and disadvantaged African-American girls on the importance of self-
respect.
  Through the Women Lawyers Division, women have made a significant 
impact on the goals and directions of the NBA by participating at all 
levels of the organization. The WLD has achieved its goal of adding 
positive direction to the NBA by contributing and establishing a new 
dimension and sensitivity of the NBA as it addresses legal issues 
affecting women, children, the family, and the African-American 
community as a whole.
  As the Representative for Nevada's First Congressional District, it 
gives me immense pride to honor the Women Lawyers Division of the 
National Bar Association on its 40th Anniversary Celebration in Las 
Vegas, Nevada, and I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
accomplishments of this crucial organization and its admirable efforts.

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