The Women Lawyers Division (WLD) of the National Bar Association was established in 1972 as a vehicle for women in the practice of law to address the issues and problems that particularly affect, interest and concern African American women.
The WLD had its genesis during 1971 when an informal coalition of 19 women members of the NBA discussed soliciting new NBA members to run for national offices. These women decided that there were other issues that needed to be addressed, and thus on August 5, 1971, Ruth Harvey Charity convened the first organizational meeting of NBA women lawyers in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to Ms. Charity, the organizing members of the WLD included: Hon. Joyce London Alexander, Ruth Banks, Hon. Alice Bonner, Joan Burt, Hon. Theresa Doss, Florence Jackson, Hon. Golden Johnson, Arthenia Joyner, Allie Weeden Latimer, Hon. Gabrielle McDonald, Ethel Olliverre, Hon. Eileen Petersen, Savannah Potter, Hon. Clara Rich, Alice Rucker, Dorothy Sampson, and the Hon. Lucile Watts.
Since 1972, the WLD has served the particular needs of its constituency as well as the NBA. Notable achievements of the Women Lawyers Division and its members during its history are the following:
(1) Organization of Local Affiliates. The first local chapter of the WLD was organized in Washington, D.C. in 1974. Since that time affiliates have been established in several states, including California, Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania. Members of local chapters have provided leadership and officers to the national WLD.
(2) Sponsorship of Seminars. In 1975, the WLD sponsored its first semester at the NBA national convention. The WLD hosts seminars at each annual convention, which have addressed the following subjects: impact of juvenile law on the family; domestic violence; energy law; sexual harassment; child advocacy; international law; professional ethics; post conviction relief; law teaching and trial techniques; ascending to the bench and judicial selection methods; the Internet and personal computer technology; rainmaking and leadership for women.
(3) Sponsorship of Breakfasts and Luncheons at the NBA Conventions. Since 1976, the WLD has recognized outstanding women lawyers and jurists at its luncheons and annual breakfasts. Outstanding guest speakers have included the Honorable Constance Baker Motley, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York; the Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, non-voting Congressional delegate from the District of Columbia; Honorable Ann Diggs Taylor, Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan; Honorable Joyce London Alexander, Magistrate of the U.S. District Court in Boston; Honorable Juanita Kidd Stout, former Supreme Court Justice from Pennsylvania; Honorable Joyce Tucker, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Member; Derrick Bell, Harvard Law School Professor; Barbara Arnwine, Executive Director, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under the Law; Debra L. Lee, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of BET, Inc.; Dr. Dorothy I. Height, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Council of Negro Women, Inc.; Emma Darnell, County Commissioner of Atlanta, Georgia; Honorable Ann Claire Williams, Judge of the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
(4) Service in the Highest Offices of the NBA. In 1977, Ruth Harvey Charity, a WLD member, was elected a Vice President of the NBA, which was the first time in 25 years a woman had held so high a position within the NBA. In 1981, another WLD member, Arnette R. Hubbard, was elected the first President-Elect of the NBA, and Alice Bonner, a founder of the WLD, was installed as the first woman president of the NBA Judicial Council Division. Since that year, eight other female WLD members have served as President of the NBA: Arthenia L. Joyner, Algenita Scott Davis, Sharon McPhail, Paulette Brown, Beverly McQueary Smith, Evett L. Simmons, Kim M. Keenan and Vanita M. Banks. Members of the WLD have also served in other offices of the NBA and on its Board of Governors.
(5) Sponsorship of the U.S. Supreme Court Group Swearing-in. The Supreme Court swearing-in tradition began in 1981 and continues today. Each spring (usually Memorial Day Weekend), the WLD anticipates scheduling and sponsorship of a group of NBA members for admission to the U.S. Supreme Court.
(6) Twentieth Anniversary. In 1992, the WLD celebrated its 20 years of existence. The WLD sponsored several programs and events in commemoration of this significant anniversary, including the unveiling of a Roster of Past Presidents and Chairs, which is on display at the NBA Headquarters. All of the founders were honored with special tributes.
Through the WLD, women have made a significant impact on the goals and directions of the NBA by participating at all levels of the organization. The WLD has achieved its goal of adding positive direction to the NBA by “taking a seat at its table” and establishing a new dimension and sensitivity of the NBA as it addresses legal issues affecting women, children, the family and the African American community as a whole. In its sponsorship of seminars, breakfasts and other forums, the WLD has concentrated on issues of specific interest and impact on women.