ABOUT THE WBA-MD
The Women’s Bar Association of Maryland (WBA) was founded in
1929; its preceding organization, the Women’s Lawyers
Association, was founded in 1927. The purpose of the
organization is to maintain the honor and integrity of the legal
profession, assist in the administration of justice, promote and
advance the interest of women engaged in the practice of law and
advance the status of women in society.
The WBA has a diverse membership which includes female and
male lawyers, judges, government and elected officials and law
school students. Our members represent all areas of the state.
The WBA has 9 local chapters: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore
City/County/Carroll County, Howard County, Lower Eastern Shore,
Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Upper Eastern Shore
and the University of Baltimore and University of Maryland Law
Schools.
WBA’s Most Significant Accomplishment
The WBA has been instrumental in increasing the
representation of women and minorities in the Maryland courts.
In 1989, the Gender Bias Report of the Select Committee on
Gender Equality (formed by the Maryland Judiciary and Maryland
State Bar Association) recorded that only 9% of state court
judges were women and only 1 of the 9% was a minority. The
report also found that gender bias was seen in domestic violence
cases, child custody, support and alimony decisions, as well in
judicial selections. For example, judicial applicants were asked
on the application about time lost from work for maternity leave
and children.
In 1991 the Women’s Bar put observers in every single
courtroom in Maryland and from those observations compiled the
Courtwatch Report. The Report confirmed many of the findings of
the Gender Bias Report and the WBA began a long campaign to
eliminate gender bias in Maryland courts. In 1995 the Judicial
Nominating Commissions were revamped and for the first time,
women attorneys served on all 16 commissions. The WBA revised
its screening procedures used by its Judicial Selections
Committee and those procedures became a model for other
specialty bar associations as well as the MSBA (Maryland State
Bar Association). By the end of 2003, close to 30% of the
Maryland bench were women, up 333% from 1989. Representation of
minorities on the bench also increased significantly during this
time.
Community Support:
The Montgomery County chapter has worked for a number of
years to provide educational program to teenagers girls. Among
the programs are the annual “Take Your Child to Work” and
“Preparing for Success” The chapter has also established a
foundation to provide scholarships to students attending
Montgomery College and local law schools.
The Prince George’s County chapter has formed a relationship
with the Thomas J. S. Waxter Children’s Center, a female
juvenile detention facility. The chapter provides numerous
programs and support for the girls. Included in the annual
lineup is the ongoing book drive, discussing juvenile policy
issues and a month-long series of workshops on
conflict-resolution, self-esteem and life skills.
The law school chapters are involved in such activities as
collecting food and personal items for shelters; business attire
for those women who cannot afford to purchase suits; and toys
for the “Toys for Tots” drive.
Fundraisers:
The WBA golf tournament benefit raises funds for charities
such as Advocates for Children and Youth, Camp Friendship
(providing activities for children with cancer and respite for
the family), the Children of Divorce and Separation Center, the
House of Ruth (full state-wide service for victims and families
of domestic violence) and the Kit Sfekas Memorial Scholarship,
Inc.
A portion of the proceeds from the triennial auction of the
Montgomery County chapter is donated to the Pro Bono Program of
the Montgomery County Bar Association and a portion is used to
provide scholarship aid to college and law students. The Pro
Bono program provides free legal services to the indigent.
The University of Maryland Law School chapter members sponsor
a team to participate in the “Race for the Cure”.
In addition, several chapters sponsor judicial receptions and
other events that enable WBA members to speak with members of
the judiciary on an informal basis.
The WBA is a tax exempt entity under section 501 (c) 6 of the
Internal Revenue Code.
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WBA STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Women’s Bar Association of Maryland
(“WBA”) is an organization of women and men
committed to the full and equal participation of
women in the legal profession and in a just
society. The WBA believes that a strong
community of women in the legal profession is
essential to the administration of justice. The
mission and goals of the WBA are to:
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Promote and
assist women to obtain positions of influence
and leadership within their workplace, the legal
profession, the judiciary, and the community;
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Raise awareness
of and fight biases against women within the
community at large, the legal profession, and
under the law;
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Promote and
effect diversity, equality, and justice under
the law and within the legal system;
-
Support women
in the legal profession in their personal and
professional lives;
-
Provide
opportunities for volunteerism and advocacy on
issues affecting women;
-
Collaborate
with other individuals and organizations to
improve the status of women;
-
Celebrate the
individual and collective achievements of women
in the legal profession; and
-
Promote full
and equal participation of women in society by
eliminating all forms of discrimination.
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