On July 25, 2012, the Woman Advocate Committee hosted a terrific networking and learning teleconference featuring an address by incoming ABA President Laurel Bellows. Ms. Bellows spoke with passion about several topics of interest to her and to WAC members, ranging from the advancement of women attorneys, including the difficulties in spotting and overcoming gender bias and the importance of sponsorship, to the travesty of human trafficking. After her remarks, Ms. Bellows answered questions posed by WAC members including how ABA members can help her reach the goals she has set for her presidency, as well as steps that we can all take to promote the advancement of women in our profession. As a step each of us can take to advance women, Ms. Bellows challenges all of us to sponsor other women and to commend their accomplishments in the presence of others. These suggestions are in line with President Bellows’ appointment of a task force on gender equality and her plan to issue daily “tweets” on gender equality issues.
Members of the Woman Advocate Committee hosted gatherings in 31 cities around the country to listen to Ms. Bellows’ address. The gatherings featured coffee or lunch, as appropriate for the time zone, and many attendees enjoyed sharing exchanging their thoughts and suggestions afterward. An outgrowth of WAC’s successful regional networking lunch program, the teleconference marked WAC’s first contemporaneous gathering of members and guests nationwide. We’re sure it will not be the last! Keep checking this website for postings about future programs linking members across the nation and future regional networking lunches.
Keywords: woman advocate, litigation, ABA president, Laurel Bellows