NAWJ ANNOUNCES 2013 JOAN DEMPSEY KLEIN HONOREE OF THE YEAR, FLORENCE K. MURRAY AWARDEE

The National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ) is proud to announce recipients of this year’s Justice Joan Dempsey Klein Honoree of the Year Award, and Florence K. Murray Award.

Justice Joan Dempsey Klein Honoree of the Year Award

The Justice Joan Dempsey Klein Award is given each year to honor a judge who brings distinction to their office, and exemplifies the Association’s goals. It honors a judge who brings distinction to the National Association of Women Judges as exemplified by NAWJ’s founder Justice Joan Dempsey Klein. The 2013 recipient is the Honorable Bernette Joshua Johnson, Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court. Justice Johnson is the first African-American Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court. The award will recognize Justice Johnson’s assistance to women judges in becoming more proficient in their profession, help in solving the legal, social and ethical problems associated with the judiciary, and working to increase the number of women serving as judges. Chief Justice Johnson overcame many obstacles in her judicial career while making impressive contributions to women in the legal profession. Click here to read more on Chief Justice Johnson.

The Justice Joan Dempsey Klein Award will be presented during the Keynote Luncheon on Thursday, October 10th, the opening day of NAWJ’s 35th Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. This year’s annual conference, Judging And All That Jazz, will convene October 9-13, 2013 at The Ritz Carlton, New Orleans.

Florence K. Murray Award

The Florence K. Murray Award was instituted by its namesake, the Honorable Florence K Murray, for presentation to someone who, while not a judge, has, by example or otherwise, influenced women to pursue legal careers, opened doors for women attorneys, or advance opportunities for women within the legal profession. The 2013 recipient of the Florence K. Murray Award is Professor of Political Science Sally Kenney. She is Newcomb College Endowed Chair at Tulane University. The award recognizes Professor Kenney’s service to NAWJ, and to the cause of gender diversity in the judiciary through her teaching, research and activism. Her most recent publication is entitled: “Gender and Justice Why Women in the Judiciary Really Matter.” Click here to read more on Professor Kenney.

The Florence K. Murray Award will be presented during the NAWJ Gala Banquet on Saturday, October 12th, the closing event of NAWJ’s 35th Annual Conference in The Ritz Carlton, New Orleans.

View a list of all past award recipients here.

To learn more about the 2013 Annual Conference please visit the conference website here. To obtain tickets for this event, please contact Mary-Kathleen Todd (202) 393-0222 or mtodd@nawj.org.