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President's Message
By Dawn Kirby Arnold
 I want to apologize that the newsletter is late this month. I had a major family crisis and, as with many of us, it fell to me to take care of everyone. It can be a difficult thing when people you care about are in trouble, but I look on the bright side and recognize that I am very lucky to have the ability to be the strong one, the problem solver, the one my family leans on. I salute all of you who are caring for parents, nurturing and worrying about your children, and serving as the rock and the support of your entire family.
So much is going on in the bar association, it seems to me like we're flying through the spring. The first president of the Westchester Women's Bar Association, Cheryl Bradley, will be honored at the annual dinner on June 11th. We are extremely excited that Cheryl's son, New York State Assemblyman Adam Bradley, will present his mother to the membership. Adam Bradley himself is a leading advocate for children's safety in our state legislature. The annual dinner is always a wonderful time to catch up with your colleagues and make new connections. If you wish to submit a congratulatory message to Cheryl Bradley, the WWBA, or any of its members, I urge you to contact Lisa Bluestein to submit an ad to the Dinner Journal.
I took some time to spring-clean my office recently. Looking through some of the historical WWBA files, I was so proud to see how much we've accomplished and grown as a bar association and as attorneys in the profession. However, we have not yet reached the elusive goal of equality in the profession. There is much more to do, much further to go. Chief Judge Judith Kaye recently addressed the WBASNY Board concerning the status of women in the profession. She talked about researching her recently published law review article on the topic in the March 2008 Fordham Law Review. Her conclusion is that many of the challenges of 30 years ago are still here today. Some of the challenges are less blatant - back in the mid-90's when I appeared on a litigation matter, I was told regularly to "let me know when your attorney gets here". What? I'm wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase for goodness sakes! The fact that the challenges today are not so in-your-face makes them all the more serious and dangerous. We need to remain vigilant in our mission. We must continue to support and mentor each other, provide a support system, and continue to open doors - whether by education or force! We need to continue elevating women to the bench, to promote more women equity partners, women politicians and women community leaders. Judge Kaye's conclusion is that the Women's Bar is as relevant today as it ever was. She called women in the law a "sizzling hot topic". Indeed.
The annual golf outing will take place on August 4th at Willow Ridge Country Club. The club has a phenomenal course, located between Apawamis and Westchester Country Clubs. Experienced golfers will be thrilled with this top-notch course. Don't shy away if you are a beginner. One of the reasons the golf outing exists is to provide a lowstress, fun environment for beginner golfers. Scramble play means your foursome plays from the best ball. You only need one decent player to really be in the mix. So, however new you are to the game you will have fun! If you're not a golfer you can attend the "nineteenth hole" - a social cocktail party, impressive dinner and entertaining awards ceremony. The clubhouse is new, the views are spectacular, and the food will be extraordinary. Please come join the fun.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
05/14/2008 3:30PM
