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PURPOSE

          The National Bar Association, Women Lawyers Division, Philadelphia Chapter (WLD) was formed to address the challenges to advancement in the legal profession faced by women of color in the Philadelphia area, including minimized opportunities to form networks and find mentors with similar interests and backgrounds.  While strides have been made since 1927 when Sadie T. M. Alexander became the first black woman to become a member of the Pennsylvania Bar, the organization continues to be relevant as women of color still find themselves facing unique obstacles to career advancement in the legal profession.  The WLD continues its efforts in advancing diversity in the city's law schools, law firms and corporations through its scholarship programs, continuing legal education seminars, community service projects and networking opportunities.

 

MISSION STATEMENT

          Recognizing that throughout history, African-American women lawyers have made substantial contributions to the legal profession, and that, as African-American women lawyers, we have a special concern for African-American women generally,  the National Bar Association, Women Lawyers Division, Philadelphia Chapter, dedicates itself to continuing this tradition by creating an environment which maintains professional competence and integrity, providing a vehicle for increasing the number of African American women lawyers, fostering personal and business support networks, promoting entrepreneurial ventures, and elevating African-American women lawyers into strategic positions of power.

The objectives of the WLD are:

to assist in fostering and sustaining a viable presence for African-American women attorneys throughout the Philadelphia area;

to provide aid to women of color in their efforts to obtain legal education, bar admission and employment; and

to foster interaction with other bar associations and to recognize the efforts and achievements of members of the legal community.

         Since its founding, the WLD has been actively accomplishing its objectives. One of our most important projects is the Annual Scholarship Luncheon where Sadie T.M. Alexander Book Fund Scholarships are awarded to law students from area law schools. The annual banquet also affords us the opportunity to publicly recognize a distinguished member of the bar through presentation of the Doris May Harris Image Award.

          We envision in the years ahead a continuing effort to make a difference to our membership, our profession and our community. 

 

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"Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be" -- Marian Anderson

 

Former Presidents

1982-1984

Beverly Townes Williams, Esq.

1984-1985

Honorable Jacqueline F. Allen

1985-1986

Tanya V. Deyo, Esq.

1986-1987

Sydney M. Avent, Esq.

1987-1988

Zenola Harper, Esq.

1988-1989

Honorable Renee Cardwell Hughes

1989-1990

Sandra E. Brown, Esq.

   

1990-1991

Pamela Estwick, Esq.

1991-1992

Donna Campbell, Esq.

1992-1993

Cheryl Gaston, Esq.

1993-1994

Rhonda Hill Wilson, Esq.

1994-1995

Priscilla Pearson, Esq.

1995-1996

Claire Lomax, Esq.

1996-1997

Beverly Muldrow, Esq.

1997-1998

Lisa Evans, Esq.

1998-1999

Deborah Carroll, Esq.

1999-2000

Joyce Webb-Eubanks, Esq.

   

2000-2001

Lynda Henry, Esq.

2001-2002

Wanda Flowers, Esq.

2002-2003

Zanetta Moore-Driggers, Esq.

2003-2004

Angela Haynes, Esq.

2004-2005

Lucretia C. Clemons, Esq.

2005-2006

Khadijah Scott, Esq.

2006-2007

Barbara Simmons, Esq.

2007-2008

Adiah Ferron, Esq.

2008-2009

Cassandra Georges, Esq.

2009-2010

Linda A. Medley, Esq

 

"Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson