ABOUT US

Rhode Island Women's Bar Association promotes the advancement of the status of women in Rhode Island and in the legal profession. RIWBA offers a forum to discuss and address local, national, and international issues of significance to women generally and to female attorneys in particular. RIWBA advocates for the fair and equal administration of justice throughout the state of Rhode Island. Through philanthropy, education, mentoring and connecting people, RIWBA has improved and continues to improve the Rhode Island community as a whole.

RIWBA offers accredited Continuing Legal Education seminars targeted at the needs, challenges and issues facing female attorneys in their practices. In the past, the RIWBA has partnered with female Rhode Island Judiciary members to bring seminars that offer unique insight on the practice of law in Rhode Island state courts. RIWBA has also made significant charitable efforts throughout Rhode Island, including annual holiday gift bag drives, clothing drives to assist women entering the work force, and events to support to local female youth living in group homes. Furthermore, various RIWBA-sponsored networking events have fostered a close-knit relationship among our members, providing our membership with valuable sources of knowledge and contacts.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

It is an exciting time to be involved in the Rhode Island Women's Bar Association.

The members of RIWBA are bound by common experiences, challenges and interests and the Rhode Island Women's Bar Association is committed to serving those unique needs. As the 2008-2009 program year is about to begin, the Board of Directors planned an ambitious calendar of events with a cohesive theme of achieving a work/life balance in the practice of law.

Our offerings will include a seminar on Motherhood & Your Career, focusing on the applicable laws and real life solutions from the pros that have successfully taken on the challenges of motherhood without sacrificing their careers. In November, Nordstrom will be hosting a "Dress for Success" breakfast for our members, helping us to reclaim our sense of style and project competence, confidence and success to clients and colleagues alike. We are especially pleased to be co-sponsoring Women's Law Day with RWU Law School in the Spring of 2009 featuring Dr. Sarah Weddington, who successfully argued the landmark case of Roe v. Wade in the United States Supreme Court. She later founded the Weddington Center, promoting women's leadership, and wrote the book, A Question of Choice, detailing the Roe v. Wade case.

The 2008-2009 term will be marked by significant advances. We have launched the RIWBA website, which will keep our members informed about the RIWBA's programs and issues of interest to our members, and provide a means of checking the status of one's membership and renewing the same online. We are also initiating a mentoring program, pairing seasoned women lawyers with law students and our younger members trying to navigate their way through the practice in our unique community. Finally, we wish to increase the visibility and increase the voice of the RIWBA in the legal community in Rhode Island.

The RIWBA Board understands its duty to focus on challenges and experiences common to women in the practice and to offer programs to address those issues. In order to accomplish this, we need the support and feedback of our members. Please not only join the RIWBA but also participate and give us feedback on what we can do better. We are always looking to implement new ideas and programs consistent with our vision. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to an exciting year ahead.

Melody Alger
President
RIWBA