The Women’s Law Association—97 years young—is the oldest surviving independent legal association in Ontario and Canada’s first women’s legal organization. As the 58th woman to serve as President of the WLAO I look forward to stewarding this great organization closer to its 100th anniversary in 2019.
As we prepare for our Centennial we will be celebrating our rich history. WLAO has been the voice of women in the Ontario Bar from the days of Suffrage into this Millennial era that honours the many facets of diversity in society and in our profession.
During the next couple of years, we’ll be honouring the women who went before us, upon whose shoulders we stand. Among the many remarkable former WLAO Presidents are the Honourable Madam Justice Van Camp (President 1957-1962), the first woman in Canada to be appointed to the Supreme Court of Ontario; Laura Legge (1964 - 1966), the first woman Bencher of the Law Society of Ontario and the first woman to serve as LSUC Treasurer; the Honourable Sandra Chapnik (1988-89), who served as an Ontario Superior Court of Justice judge for 24 years. So many incredible women have led the way, breaking barriers and marking milestones, that I am humbled to follow in their footsteps.
First, join us for this year’s annual holiday event on Thursday, Nov. 24,at the Windsor Arms Hotel. We are delighted to have the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Status of Women, as our guest speaker that night, to share with us some of her keys to success in life and career.
Your membership in the WLAO helps us in many important ways. Your fees allow us to arrange events of all types—both learning, social and mentoring—in addition to maintaining our website, phone and email presence. If you are not yet a member please join today. Your fees paid before the end of 2016 will keep your membership current through 2017. If you are a former member please update your membership today; you will pay a discounted fee to attend our events.
Please join me in the coming months for events that will not only honour those who preceded us, but recognize women who are contributing above and beyond, today—and pave the way for those who come after us.