WBASNY Virtual Convention 2021 Journal

Dear Friends, Colleagues and “Sisters in Law”:

Welcome to the first Virtual Annual Convention of the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”). Our largest event of a most extraordinary year, WBASNY’s Convention provides even more opportunities to further the advancement of women in the law and in society. Thank you for joining us. We encourage you to participate in the two full days of programs, including yoga, Continuing Legal Education seminars, and “Poker PowHer.” Let us celebrate each other as we honor the 2021 WBASNY Award recipients. Renew and strengthen connections from throughout the state at the Friday and Saturday evening receptions. We may be meeting virtually, but we still represent WBASNY’s “one voice,” and that voice remains “#WBASNYstrong.” Carrying on the work of the second-largest bar association in the state of New York amid a pandemic and social unrest was difficult. In addition to the challenges that kept us physically apart, affected our health, and impacted our livelihoods, we experienced the loss of many we loved, respected, and admired, including U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. However, just like the suffragists who persevered through the Spanish Flu pandemic of the early 20 th century and won the right to vote, WBASNY’s members rose to meet the challenge of innovative leadership during these challenging times. We made frequent use of social media, virtual meetings, and other forms of technology to keep each other informed and engaged. Many of WBASNY’s forms were converted into electronic fillable forms that could be submitted online. Adjustments were made to WBASNY’s website to make it more user friendly – and highlight the achievements of our members in celebration of WBASNY’s 40th Anniversary. The distribution of surveys as part of the Preserving Our Living Legacy (“POLL”) Project challenged WBASNY’s leaders to preserve WBASNY’s living legacy and ensure that important institutional knowledge and historical documents are preserved and passed on to future leaders. With pride, WBASNY adapted and thrived. As the nation celebrated the 100 th Anniversary of women’s voting rights, WBASNY celebrated its 40 th Anniversary in grand style. Like our foremothers, WBASNY’s members moved the mission forward, building a better and brighter future for women in the legal profession and women in general. To WBASNY’s Officers, Chapter Presidents, Committee Chairs, Delegates and Volunteers from throughout the state, thank you for your time, commitment, and dedication. Thank you for defining our collective struggle for acceptance and recognition, our advocacy for the underserved, and our resolve in the face of sexism, racism, and all forms of injustice for the next 40 years and beyond. Thank you for being “Faithful to the Mission.”

Joy A. Thompson Joy A. Thompson WBASNY President