March 31, 2023
2023 Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award Honorees
Congratulations to the 2023 Margaret Brent Award Honorees!
- Hon. Sabrina S. McKenna; Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the State of Hawai`i, Honolulu, HI. View Sabrina's introductory video and her acceptance speech.
- Melissa Murray; Frederick I. and Grace Stokes Professor of Law, NYU School of Law, New York, NY. View Melissa's introductory video and her acceptance speech.
- Yvette Ostolaza; Chair, Management Committee of Sidley Austin LLP and Executive Committee member, Dallas, TX. View Yvette's introductory video and her acceptance speech.
- Deborah Willig; Founder and Managing Partner, Willig, Williams, & Davidson, Philadelphia, PA. View Deborah's introductory video and her acceptance speech.
- Jill Wine-Banks; MSNBC Contributor; Author, The Watergate Girl; Co-Host #SistersInLaw and iGenPolitics Podcast, Evanston, IL. View Jill's introductory video and her acceptance speech.
These esteemed honorees were chosen because they carry forward the legacy of Margaret Brent. Margaret Brent was the first woman lawyer in America. She arrived in the colonies in 1638. She was a master negotiator, an accomplished litigator, and a respected leader. She was involved in 124 court cases over 8 years and won every case. In 1648, she formally demanded a “vote and voice” in the Maryland Assembly, which the governor denied. Over 250 years later, Harper’s magazine noted: “By this action, Margaret Brent undoubtedly placed herself as the first woman in America to make a stand for the rights of her sex." View a video about Margaret Brent's life here.
If you have any questions, please email Chanelle Torres at [email protected].