Author: Courtney Wylie

It has been a whirlwind few months with moving to California, starting my PhD, helping my little sister plan her wedding, and still working full-time (yeesh – even writing it sounds exhausting)! But there have been some incredible, beautiful, and inspiring highlights that I wanted to share.

I was lucky and honored to be able to go to the National Women Making History Awards held in D.C. by the National Women’s History Museum on April 4th.

First, I’m ashamed to say that I did not realize we do not have a United States National Women’s History Museum.  In fact, when I first heard about it, I thought that this couldn’t possibly be right.  We have a museum for textiles! But not women? How did I not know that? How are young girls supposed to have role models if the women who shaped, created, and stamped their mark on history are forgotten, ignored, or left out?

Now I feel driven to let everyone else know – in case they, like me, were simply but inexcusably unaware.  If nothing else, I hope that you will support the National Women’s History Museum, which incidentally has the largest Facebook following of any museum, but no brick and mortar building.  They work to bring the stories of women who shaped history to everyone and currently operate off of private funding and with pop-up exhibits.  If you have the opportunity to support them, I hope you will, especially this year, which marks the centennial of the year that our first group of women won the right to vote in the U.S (unfortunately, we often forget that this right was still not awarded to all women at that time).

Now, on to the awards, the honorees were unique, powerful, and inspiring.  Their stories, impact, and contributions are so important to honor and to celebrate.  Congratulations to former President of Spelman College and Bennett College and Former Director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Ph.D., Gracie and multiple Emmy® Award-Winning advocate, activist, philanthropist and an internationally acclaimed home life expert Sandra Lee, and former United States Senator from Maine The Honorable Olympia J. Snowe for their extraordinary accomplishments.

I was humbled and honored to work at a firm that so intentionally and clearly supports its women and all women by sponsoring organizations and events like this one.  Our very own Maureen Hardwick, a partner in our D.C. Office, uplifted the event with her beautiful remarks and I left, as I suspect many did that night, feeling empowered and so optimistic for the future. #DBRWomen #NWHM

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Getting the invitation to be an American Bar Foundation Fellow today, reminded me how important it is to stay passionate about what you do no matter the obstacles.

Helping to create a better legal profession is my passion.  Having received a few “Nos” to my PhD applications (fingers crossed for the ones outstanding), I was, understandably, a little down.  I’ve always been a firm believer that things happen for a reason and since persistence has never been an issue for me, even not getting in this year, won’t stop me from applying again.  Regardless, it was inspiring and uplifting, to receive this invitation that same day.  An invitation offered to me because of my dedication to research and innovation … in the same fields I’m applying to be a doctoral student in.  I am incredibly honored and truly thankful to be asked and cannot wait to work with and support the important work of the American Bar Foundation as a fellow.   It just reinforced for me that the universe makes no mistakes and staying positive and persistent is the key to living your dream. 

It is undeniable that the practice of law is a male dominated field but by working together we can start to create a positive shift.  This is why the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois teamed up with Loyola Law School to host their inaugural Women in Law Summit sponsored by Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP and LuluFit.  Men and women working together to examine and address the issues facing women lawyers is crucial.  The all day event will foster collaboration, conversation, and skill development for women lawyers to increase their own leadership abilities.

I was truly honored to be asked to help develop the curriculum for the day and to be speaking among some incredible presenters on these topics.  It is shaping up to be a an incredible day.  If you are attending, please let me know what you think! I’d love to hear your comments on the how it goes, the topics covered, and anything you would like to see addressed in future programs.

For registration and details, please click here.

Source: September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month