NEWS
 

RIWBA calls for nominations for the 2009 Ada Sawyer Award

Its that time of year again! The RIWBA is looking for nominations for the winner of this years Ada Sawyer award. As most of our members know, this award is presented annually to a person in our community at the RIWBA's Annual Dinner in May. Nominees should have one or more of these qualities:

  • supportive of the advancement of the status of women in Rhode Island and in the legal profession;
  • facilitate open discussion on topic(s) which have local, national, or international significance to women generally or to female attorneys in particular; or
  • advocates for the fair and equal administration of justice throughout the state of Rhode Island.

Nominees should also promotes philanthropy, education, or mentoring Rhode Island and must demonstrate the initiative and courage of Ada Sawyer. As Rhode Islanders remember, Ada Sawyer worked for Charles Salisbury and Percy Winchester Gardner in their law office at 75 Westminster Street after she graduated from high school in 1909. Mr. Gardner encouraged Ada, his secretary, to begin studying law. In 1917, Ada registered to take the bar exam. At that time, Rhode Island still permitted apprenticeships for a period of three years, after which the apprentice could sit for the bar exam without attending college or law school. Ada Sawyer was the first woman to sit for the Rhode Island Bar Exam on September 24, 1920. She was one of twelve persons to pass the exam who had not gone to college or law school. Shortly after that, the firm became Gardner and Sawyer. Mr. Gardner and Ada remained in practice together for 46 years.

If you know someone who meets these qualifications, please email or send this form to Melody by mail before May 17th.

 

 


Rhode Island Women's Bar Association