July 2022 President's Letter

What a whirlwind month this has been with ups and downs and lots of activity!

We hosted two webinars: on June 20, “A Bad Name for a Terrific Idea: How Judges Can Benefit from a Renamed Special Master Profession” featuring Judge Heather Welch, Judge Stephanie Domitrovich, PhD, and Judge Toni Clarke; and on June 22, “Emerging Issues in Neuroscience for Judges”, a program provided by the American Association for the Advancement of Science in conjunction with NAWJ and featuring experts seeking to enhance our understanding of neuroscience in the administration of justice.

We have two upcoming programs in July: on July 20, “NAWJ Discussion: Pride & Pronouns” hosted by our LGBTQ Committee, and on July 28, “The History of Bias Within the Child Welfare System and Seeking Solutions” hosted ty our Ensuring Racial Equity Committee.

Nominations are now open for NAWJ Officers and Board Nominations. Consider submitting an application if you are interested in developing and fulfilling the strategic direction of our organization. Nominations are due by July 29 and may be made via the nomination form at www.nawj.org/board-nominations.

Preparations are in full swing for the annual conference in Detroit to be held October 19-22. The educational components are finalized, entertainment is planned and money is being raised. It promises to be an amazing time.  Save by registering before August 31 with the Early Bird Special. The theme is “All Rise: Standing Up for Global Justice in the City that Moved the World.” 

I was fortunate to be able to visit Seneca Falls, New York on a recent trip East. When I was sworn in as your President, NAWJ celebrated the centennial of the passage of the 19th Amendment and acknowledged the hard work of the suffragists whose work began at a women’s rights meeting there in 1848. Over 70 years later, women were afforded the right to vote and to be seen as equals in determining who would guide our nation. On becoming your President, I announced my theme: “Remembering the Past and Embracing the Future.”

Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence “all men are created equal.” It was a literal statement meant to exclude women and the enslaved population. Three-quarters of a century later, Elizabeth Cady Stanton succeeded in the women’s rights movement at Seneca Falls in adopting a Declaration of Rights and Sentiments affirming that “all men and women are created equal.”  NAWJ was formed in 1979 to ensure equality on the bench and equal access to justice. May we continue to seek inspiration from those brave women. My visit to Seneca Falls was just the inspiration I needed to continue my work as your President.

I have included a few photos below from which I hope you too may seek inspiration.

I was pleased to provide a video greeting to the Second Annual Summit of Women Judges held in Islamabad, Pakistan on June 24. They sought to be encouraged by what we at NAWJ have achieved. While they seek inspiration from us, I am more inspired by their bravery, particularly that of their first woman Chief Justice who was in attendance at the Summit.           

On June 11, NAWJ members from Los Angeles and Orange County met for lunch at my home. We thoroughly enjoyed having a chance to share stories, laugh and enjoy each other’s company.  Photos are below.

NAWJ is now partnered with the National Judicial College (“NJC”). I will be meeting with representatives of NJC to work on collaborative educational programs. We have a tremendous relationship with NJC and was pleased that our Finance Chair, Judge Anita Josey Herring, spoke at their June 14 Conference in Chicago entitled “Democracy’s Last Line of Defense.”

NAWJ has applied for Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (“UNECOSOC”),which serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues and formulating policy recommendations. Thanks to Judge Mimi Tsankov for preparing and submitting the application for us to join 1,600 other NGO’s. who are members.

I dropped in at a recent meeting of the LGBTQ Committee and had an opportunity to discuss recent rulings of the Supreme Court and explore our concerns. I am dropping in on other committee meetings in the days to come.

In June, I met with the Chairs of the Membership Committee. We were pleased by the response to letters sent to recently appointed Federal Judges particularly by Judge Muguia, Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit, who is now a member. A letter is out to Justice Ketanji Brown inviting her to join NAWJ. 

The American Judges Association Conference will be held August 28-30 in Philadelphia, I will be in attendance as NAWJ’s representative and look forward to nourishing our relationship with this Association.

Thank you all for all you do for NAWJ and for working hard to further our strategic mission. Please let me hear from you with your ideas and concerns. 

Hon. Elizabeth A. White (ret.)
President, NAWJ

June 11 Luncheon

Seneca Falls