Women in Law, Politics, and Activism

While women are far more likely than men to choose careers in public interest law, the jury is still out on whether this is a matter of nature or nurture.  Is it because we are socialized to enjoy helping people?  Or because we are less likely to get high-paying jobs with firms?  Most would concede that both are correct, but our guess is that Guild women are too busy changing the world to ponder whether the chicken or the egg came first.

This month’s issue mirrors the complexity of women’s lives in 2010.

In our first article, Hayne Barnwell jumps into the dialogue around Elena Kagan’s nomination to serve as a Supreme Court Justice.  With scathing humor, the article breaks down the equation of discrimination for a sobering perspective on women in the Court.

Next is Mary Lu Mendonça’s piece on women in prison which highlights the work of local women attorneys at MCI-Framingham.

In a contribution from Melanie Zurek, the Executive Director of Abortion Access Project in Boston, we have an analysis of women’s prospects for reproductive choice under health care reform.

Dominique McCadden, the lead State Campaign Coordinator of the Leadership Campaign in Massachusetts, gives as an account of women leaders and activists who are advocating and fighting for  better state policies that would impact climate change.  (The NLG Mass Defense Committee has been working closely with the Campaign since last fall; we’ve provided civil disobedience trainings and now we represent over 200 of the activists who face criminal charges for their activism.)

Last but not least, we have a report from Barb Dougan who reminds us that women are still the authority on throwing a great party.  In her report from our NLG Annual Testimonial Dinner on May 7, she recaptures all the highlights of the event – including a first-ever dinner dance.

The articles in this issue represent only a snapshot of activism by women in the Guild and our colleagues.   We celebrate their achievements while recognizing the challenges ahead in working toward justice for all.

- Mary Lu Mendonça  & Laura Alfring –