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