Written by: Julie Harris Nelson

Tallahassee, FL - From the shadows of the Florida Capitol emerge a small group of dynamic ladies from the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association.  On March 11, 2019, four members decided to take on the Capitol and participate in the legislative process with the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL).  Specifically, the GSCBWLA legislative goal was to gain unwavering support for creation of a Death with Dignity Act,  eliminate  Solitary for Youths and expand the hate crime definition to include  gender and disability.  Our plates were full.  For now, we share our highlights from the Capitol in hopes to inspire and encourage YOU to participate in lobby days with us, in 2020.  This year was simply amazing!

Our very own GSCBWLA Chapter President, Melba Pearson, greets everyone at the Criminal Justice Reform Lobby Day on the stairs of the Florida Capitol 

      

Janeen Lofton, GSCBWLA Legislative Director; Julie Harris Nelson, GSCBWLA Community Service Chair; and Melba Pearson, GSCBWLA President met with Representative Dotie Joseph

The GSCBWLA Phenomenal Four at the FAWL Legislative Reception pictured with Jennifer Shoaf Richardson, FAWL President

Melba Pearson, GSCBWLA President, pictured with Senator Jason Pizzo and Janeen Lofton

Julie Harris Nelson, Board Member/ Community Outreach Chair, pictured with Ashley Moody, Florida Attorney General

Janeen Lofton pictured with Attorney Benjamin Crump

Retired Judge Simone Marstiller (Secretary/Office of the Secretary/Florida Department of Juvenile Justice) pictured with Janeen Lofton, Julie Harris Nelson, and Athena Pearl Riley, Immediate Past President for FAWL Okaloosa Chapter

Stephanie Chaissan FAWL (Miami- Dade Chapter Rep.) pictured with Iris Elijah, Gwen Graham (Former Florida State Representative), Julie Harris Nelson and Janeen Lofton