The Women's Bar Association of Western Pennsylvania will be honoring attorney Marie Milie Jones of Meyer Darragh Buckler Bebeneck and Eck, PLLC, at a reception on February 16, 2010, from 5-7 pm at the Omni William Penn. The event costs $20.00 to attend, but is free to 2010 WBA Members and Judges. There is a cash bar and complimentary Hors d’oeuvres. If you would like to attend, place an ad in our program booklet or serve as an underwriter for the event, please contact Michelle Pierson at mpierson@zoominternet.net. This year’s event is being sponsored by The Escrow Services Group of BNY Mellon.

The Women's Bar Association of Western Pennsylvania held its Judicial Reception on October 14, 2009. This year, the WBA gave a special recognition of the accomplishments of women judges in judicial leadership roles. As part of the event, the WBA also held a professional women's clothing drive for the Women's Center and Shelter. Your donations of gently worn professional clothing were very much appreciated!

Although the annual golf outing seemed to be destined for a weather postponement, shortly before the scheduled noon tee off, the rain stopped, the skies cleared, and the sun came out. Fourteen golfers (11 women and 3 men) competed in the annual golf outing on July 31st at Lindenwood Golf Club in McMurray, PA. Three foursomes participated in the team scramble competition, while the other foursome chose to play their own balls to compete for the low gross individual prize. The foursome of Mary Sue Ramsden, Kate Fagan, Patti Nelis and Amin Kassam took first place in the scramble with a team score of four under par. Beth Williams took first place in the individual competition with a low gross score of 88. In addition, several skill prizes were awarded. A $100 cash prize, sponsored by BIT X BIT, was awarded to the winner of the closest to the pin competition, Beth Williams. Longest putt was won by Tricia Cattrell of BNY Mellon, and the longest drive went to Patti Nelis, a guest of member Mary Sue Ramsden. Although the golf was great, the prizes were fantastic, due to our generous sponsors and contributors.

The WBA wishes to acknowledge and thank the following sponsors and contributors to the 2009 Golf Outing:

Closest to the Pin Hole Sponsor: Bit x Bit - $ 100 Cash Prize
Beverage Sponsor: Cindy Miklos, Findlaw-Thomson/Reuters
$25 gift certificate	Common Plea
$25 gift certificate	Storms
$25 gift certificate	Grant St. Tavern
$25 gift certificate	Ross St. Café
Golf shirts, balls, mug, pen, coaster, golf towel, brief case, putting cup, hat & Association mouse pad	Duquesne University School of Law & Duquesne Law Alumni
Golf Gift Basket	Burns White & Hickton
Canvas Tote	BNY Mellon
Pirates Tickets w/ Parking Pass	Beth Williams
$25 Gift Certificate & Hat	Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle
Sleeves of Golf Balls for all Golfers	Julie Meder, The Webb Law Firm
Box of Golf Balls	Supreme Cleaners
2 - $25 Gift Cards	Carol Hesz
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AND CONTRIBUTORS WITH YOUR BUSINESS TO THE FULLEST EXTENT POSSIBLE.

Pictures from the golf outing may be seen on the Photos page.

On January 28, 2009, the WBA celebrated its 20th anniversary in grand style at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, despite the winter storm of the decade. The celebration began at 1:15 p.m. with a CLE program on the issues facing women in the practice of law over the past 20 years and offered practical insight by distinguished jurists, attorneys, and a sociologist, on the difficulties faced and overcome by women in the practice of law. The discussion was lively and provided some unique perspectives to the attendees, and was especially well received by women attorneys who have been admitted to practice less than 10 years. Despite the weather, over 80 attorneys attended the CLE program. WBA Secretary and Co-Chair of the CLE Committee, Wendy West Feinstein, moderated the panel discussion, and managed to keep the panelists on subject and on schedule. The distinguished panel included: Chief U.S. District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose; Thomas Hollander, Esquire; Jon Pushinsky, Esquire; M. Susan Ruffner, Esquire; Barbara M. Wolvovitz, Esquire; Mary K. Austin, Esquire; Retired Chief Justice Ralph J. Cappy; Gary P. Hunt, Esquire; Phyllis Kitzerow, Ph.D.; Julie W. Meder, Esquire; Jack Barbour, Esquire; Marie M. Jones, Esquire; U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa Pupo Lenihan; and Mary-Jo Rebelo, Esquire.

Although the consensus of the day was that women attorneys have come a long way since 1988, pay disparity and subtle forms of discrimination still exist today, and we are still struggling with how to best balance work/family life issues. Thus, organizations such as the WBA are still necessary to work toward complete gender equality, and to ensure that the progress that has been made is not undone.

Immediately following the conclusion of the CLE program, the celebration continued in the Grand Ballroom with hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. (For those of you who missed it, the food was outstanding - martini salads - who knew!!) Some of the highlights of the evening reception included the reading of a proclamation from Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato that January 28, 2009 was hereby declared Women's Bar Association of Western PA Day; recognizing members of the WBA Hall of Fame - past Susan B. Anthony recipients and WBA co-presidents; a video presentation produced by Meghan Jones-Rolla, co-president of the WBA; and the awarding of the Honorary 2009 Susan B. Anthony Award.

The recipient of the Honorary 2009 Susan B. Anthony Award is Barbara Wolvovitz, Esquire, of Feldstein, Grinberg, Stein, & McKee. Barbara is a most deserving recipient of this award. She has been an advocate of women's rights dating back to her law school days, where she served as editor of the Women's Rights Law Report at Rutgers University. She experienced an overt act of gender discrimination in 1988 while trying a race discrimination case in federal court. Her positive response to this incident set an example for all women attorneys and laid the groundwork for the WBA and our direction. In celebrating the 20th anniversary of the WBA, the Executive Committee could think of no better way to honor its history than by awarding an honorary Susan B. Anthony award to Barbara, who inspired and motivated us all to action.

Finally, last but not least, the WBA would like to thank the following organizations for underwriting the 20th Anniversary celebration:

SILVER LEVEL SPONSORS:	BNY MELLON WEALTH MANAGEMENT
	ACBA (PARTIALLY IN KIND)
	CLICKS (IN KIND)
BRONZE LEVEL SPONSORS:	BABST CALLAND CLEMENTS & ZOMNIR
	BURNS WHITE & HICKTON
	COHEN & GRIGSBY
	ECKERT SEAMANS CHERIN & MELLOTT
	FELDSTEIN GRINBERG STEIN & MCKEE
	TUCKER ARENSBERG
ADVERTISING:	BUCHANAN INGERSOLL & ROONEY
	DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
	HOUSTON HARBAUGH
	MEYER DARRAGH
	PEPPER HAMILTON
	RAPHAEL RAMSDEN & BEHERS
	THE WEBB LAW FIRM
	THOMSON/FINDLAW
	UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH LAW SCHOOL

We have also posted a number of photographs from both the CLE program and the reception. Please take a minute to browse through them.

The WBA sponsors numerous events during the year for our members. In February each year, the WBA sponsors the annual Susan B. Anthony reception, where we honor an individual who most exemplifies the objectives and goals of the WBA, by promoting equality in the legal profession. (Click here to download the SBA Nomination Form and list of Past Honorees.) In June, the WBA co-sponsors a hospitality suite at the annual Allegheny County Bench-Bar Conference in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania. The WBA annual membership meeting is usually held in late June every year, which provides not only a great opportunity to network and socialize with other members, but the members also elect the new officers for the coming year. In mid to late summer, the WBA holds its annual golf outing and golfers of all skill levels are welcomed. In October, the WBA usually hosts a Judicial Reception to provide members with a unique opportunity to meet with members of the judiciary in an informal setting. The WBA also holds a professional clothing drive for abused women at the Judicial Reception, and in December each year, the WBA sponsors a Holiday Breakfast to collect gift cards for those same women. In addition, the WBA and the Women in Law Division of the Allegheny County Bar Association regularly co-sponsor receptions to welcome the newest members of our profession into the bar, after bar exam results are published.

Throughout the year, the WBA also sponsors many programs for both members and students who are interested in a career in the law. In our "Color of Justice" program, high school students attend a morning session and luncheon with a panel of attorneys and judges, to discover the various roles that are available to female attorneys. WBA members also attend "lunch 'n learns" at area law schools, to provide information about the profession to those students who have already opted for a legal career. For our own members, the WBA sponsors CLE programs addressing issues unique to women attorneys. In the past, the WBA has sponsored such programs as "Approaching the Bench," "Mother-at-Law" and "Setting Up Shop." Please visit our CLE page for information on upcoming CLE programs.