Gloucester County Bar Foundation |
Bears for Children in Courts
C
|
Women in the Law ProgramThe Gloucester County Bar
Foundation sponsors, in part, the Women in the Law Program of the Gloucester
County Bar Association. The purpose
of the Women in Law Program is to educate young women and to give them career
perspectives from influential women who live and work in the community.
The program features respected female members of different segments of
society discussing their career choices with young girls in the community.
Women who work in government, education, business, medicine and the legal
arena explain their personal perspectives, goals and experiences in their
respective professions. This is a
fulfilling experience for young ladies in the age ranges from seven (7) to
eighteen (18). The Women’s Law Committee of the
Gloucester County Bar Association usually schedules the annual Women’s Law
Program in March each year. March
is important because March 8th is International Women's Day (IWD).
The program is usually held at the Deptford Municipal Building in
Deptford, New Jersey. Approximately
30 to 50 young women attend each year. The
Committee notifies Girl Scout troops, local schools and religious groups about
the program. Each year at the Women's Law Program, the Women’s
Law Committee awards the E.
Henrietta Roesler, Esquire Women in Law Award for Outstanding Service to the
Women in Gloucester County. The E.
Henrietta Roesler award is given to a respected woman in the community who
demonstrates the ideals of E. Henrietta Roesler, Esq. by the manner in which
they live their life and execute their profession. Any respected female in the community is capable of
receiving this award. Women from
the committee nominate individuals whom they feel are suited for the award.
Then the Committee votes to chose the recipient of the award.
Previous recipients include, Judge Jean McMaster, J.S.C. and Chief
Patricia Kunchynski of the Glassboro police department. E. Henrietta Roesler was the first woman attorney to
practice law in Gloucester County. She
was also the first woman to graduate from South Jersey Law School (Rutgers Law
School) in 1936. She had a unique
persona1ity, quiet determination and an upstanding character.
E. Henrietta Roesler, Esq. often made house calls to the sick and elderly
and would provide legal services at times to those who could not afford
representation. The following article is a
description of last years program written by Christine DiMuzio Sorochen, Esquire, Chair,
Women Law Committee, which was published in the Per Curium after the March 9,
2006 seminar. This is
representative of the usual program speakers and lecturers: WOMEN IN THE LAW The annual Women in the Law seminar was held on March 9, 2006 at the Deptford Municipal Court. The event's theme was "Women: Builders of Communities and Dreams." Decorations including balloons, banners and posters embellished the program. Additionally, the young women in attendance enjoyed refreshments from Chick-fil-A. The following speakers provided thoughtful lectures on their areas of expertise. First, Joanne Vos, Esquire, a Supervising Associate from Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst & Doukas, discussed the reality of becoming an attorney. She explained that law school is difficult and that becoming a lawyer is an expensive process and does not lead to wealth immediately. Attorney Vos further discussed that more women attorneys are needed as she presented statistics regarding the men outnumbering women attorneys. Nevertheless, she stated that by 2010 40% of all practicing attorneys will be female. Ms. Vos further recommended that young women should obtain a mentor who will explain to them the legal field and who can direct them on their path to becoming an attorney. Secondly, Thelma Davis, the Gloucester County Solid Waste Administrator and former Deputy Mayor of Logan Township (1990-2001) and Logan Township Planning Board Member (1987-2001) discussed government involvement and the winding path of career achievement. In other words, Mrs. Davis explained that she became a governmental player by first becoming the president, board member, and treasurer of the Logan Township little League. She explained that holding a governmental position is rewarding because you can actively better your community which makes life better for your family, your friends and your neighborhood. Thirdly, Michelle Stevens, a fifth grade elementary school teacher for Gibbsboro Middle School and mother of four discussed career achievement in spite of lives obstacles. To demonstrate her point, Mrs. Stevens utilized many meaningful quotes including the following: "Do not be content to wait and see what will happen, give us the determination to make the right things happen,"; "Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means,"; Life is either a daring adventure or nothing and only we can determine what it will be,"; and "As a teacher effects eternity he can never tell where his influence stops." Mrs. Stevens goal in life was to become a teacher although she was the eldest in a family of eleven with financial struggles. Mrs. Stevens explained that through persistence and determination she was able to make her dream of obtaining a degree a rea"lity and that she now enjoys the fruits of her perseverance. Fourthly, Lisa Morina, the Director of Economic Development for Gloucester County discussed her journey to this high level position. She explained that it started by making her services indispensable to her employer. Mrs. Morina worked with Gloucester County College and previously worked as the Director of Business Services for Cumberland County College. Reiterating Thelma Davis' perspective, Mrs. Morina explained that governmental work is fulfilling because the results of your efforts are visibly enjoyed in the community. Moreover, Mrs. Morina explained that life can have big plans for you which you can achieve through hard work. Her motto was that if the employer saw her as valuable enough to provide her with a position she should see herself as competent in the position as well. With regard to economic development, Mrs. Morina explained that it fascinated her to learn of the businesses located locally. For example, many would never know that the apples for McDonald's salads sold nationally are mainly provided by a business located in Gloucester County New Jersey. Mrs. Morina's curiosity regarding learning the way businessesl corporations operate from the inside out has led her to be successful in the business field which is male dominated. As the last lecturer, Dr. Roya Tayeri-Mohadjeri, AIA discussed her inspirational impressive journey to becoming an international architect as an Iranian woman. Dr. TayeriMohadjeri explained that due to constraints in educational opportunities for engineering in Iran and her love of math, she decided to pursue architecture which led to unexpected approval and validation from her mother whom had herself dreamed of becoming an architect. Dr. Tayeri-Mohadjeri had obtained her doctorate and practiced her profession for 16 years in Japan. Dr. Tayeri-Mohadjeri explained that becoming proficient in a career involves a never-ending learning process. She elaborated that she herself had sat for 9 exams and was still in the process of obtaining additional licensing. She enjoys her career and its outcomes demonstrably and revealed to the audience replications of schools she had built. Moreover, she has received awards in making locations handicapped accessible which is an extremely rewarding outcome of her toils. In conclusion, the Honorable Jean McMaster presented worthy Katrina Fisler, Esq. with the 2006 E. Henrietta Roesler Award. Judge McMaster explained that in working with E. Henrietta Roesler, Esq. she personally was aware of the qualities such as humility, intelligence and generosity which led to a successful career. Katrina Fisler, Esq. in raising four children while becoming an attorney and then a solo practitioner illustrates the qualities of E. Henrietta Roesler, "Esq. Katrina Fisler, Esq. has commenced and successfully run the Gloucester County Christmas Breakfast which benefits foster children for the past several years. In accepting her speech, Mrs. Fisler explained that no matter what comes your way, if you keep focus you can achieve goals that seem insurmountable both by you and your skeptics. With focus, Mrs. Fisler was able to complete law school becoming an editor of the law journal, act as a judicial law clerk and then parlay these accomplishments into a successful solo legal practice. The March 9, 2006 Women in the Law seminar was enjoyed by both participants and audience members. |
|
Copyright © 2006. The Gloucester County Bar Foundation. All rights reserved. |