When Roberta Cooper Ramo joined the American Bar Association, her goal wasn’t to become its first female president. Her involvement was fueled by her passion for the practice of law and how to make it more efficient and effective.
Her first stop at the ABA was the newly forming Law Practice Management Section. As she ascended the ABA ranks, Ramo often was one of only a few women involved. Although women rarely were chairs or heads of sections or committees, Ramo’s mentors encouraged her to assume leadership roles. So Ramo ran for ABA president but lost her initial bid, despite having strong support. But she persevered and was elected president in 1995.