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.

 

HISTORY

 

          The National Bar Association (NBA) was organized in 1925 to advance the science of jurisprudence, to uphold the honor of the legal profession, and to protect the civil and political rights of United States citizens. The NBA is the oldest and largest association of African-American attorneys and encompasses a vast network of lawyers, jurists, scholars, and students.

 

          The Women Lawyers Division was formed as part of the NBA in 1972 and operates on a national level with officers and a board of directors representing African-American female attorneys across the nation and on a local level through local affiliates.

          The Philadelphia Chapter of the Women Lawyers Division was formed in 1981 through the organizing efforts of Lydia Y. Kirkland, Angela E. Nolan, and Beverly Williams. African-American lawyers were “summoned” to appear at the group’s first organizational meeting held on July 1, 1981, at Temple University School of Law.

          As an outgrowth of this effort the Program Planning Committee was formed and charged with the responsibility of formulating the structure and goals for the organization. The members of the Program Planning Committee were Jacqueline Allen, Joan Brown, Lydia Kirkland, Shawn Lacey, Angela Nolan, Jean Purnell, Covette Rooney, Beverly Williams, and Diane Wilson. On October 8, 1981, the Program Planning Committee hosted the group’s first reception at the University of Pennsylvania Law School as an effort to make the local bar associations in general, and the African-American legal community in particular, aware of its organizing efforts and its proposed agenda.

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.