As the time for my Presidential term approached, I made it my business to reach out to the founding members and past presidents of the organization. One of the common themes seemed to be the unanimity of purpose and draw that GSCBWLA held for the 15+ I met with to prepare to assume the presidency.

That same sentiment seems to resonate with the Executive Board. When they became aware that students were growing frustrated just weeks into their first semester, the Board decided to take action. In just a few short weeks, we put together an event on October 9, 2008, that tapped into the sentiment that was so critical to our history and the essential differentiator for the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association.

While I recognized the idea as very much in line with GSCBWLA’s purpose, I did not fully appreciate its impact until the event itself when I observed its impact on all the attendees. The established attorneys who attended met the occasion with candor and insight that reinforced for the students that they have the advantage of walking a path that has been traveled before—and traveled successfully by women who have done extraordinary things yet had the same experiences that they are having now.

I think we hit a homerun with the students who attended, but I also believe the experience was as rewarding for the attorneys as it was for the students. I, for one, can say that the experience with my sisters (and the one gentleman who joined us) bolstered my spirits and inspired me to strive to be the extraordinary professional I was meant to be. We hope to replicate this experience a few more times during the course of the year.

Supporting members throughout the State of Florida