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July 10, 2013

Introduction: 25 Years of Blazing the Trail for Women in the Law

Jane Harper-Alport

The Commission on Women in the Profession concludes events celebrating its 25th year with the much-anticipated Day of the Woman programs at the 2013 ABA Annual Meeting. To commemorate this milestone, Perspectives asked Gabriella Filisko, a lawyer, and Hannah Hayes—both Chicago-based freelance writers—to talk with pioneering women lawyer leaders about their experiences in seven major legal career arenas. How have women altered the landscape and made gains in these areas over the past quarter century, and what remains to be achieved? The following seven short articles offer highlights from the journeys of 23 remarkable women who, along with Sandra Day O’Connor and Madeleine Albright (see Ann Farmer’s article in this issue), represent thousands of others who are blazing trails for women in the law. Their inspiring stories support the work of the Commission, in Chair Mary Cranston’s words, to continue to serve as a catalyst for change in the legal profession.

Jane Harper-Alport

Jane Harper-Alport is a lawyer, manager in ABA Publishing/Periodicals at the American Bar Association, and the managing editor of Perspectives.