Judge Nancy Gertner Speaks in Defense of Women Telling Stories of Her Years as an

 Unrepentant Advocate

On October 11th, NHWBA and UNH School of Law co-hosted an event featuring The Honorable Judge Nancy Gertner, a renowned litigator and recently retired US District Court Judge from Massachusetts, who discussed her book, In Defense of Women:  Memoirs of an Unrepentant Advocate.  Judge Gertner spoke to a group of lawyers, law students, judges and justices about her groundbreaking and controversial cases as well as her time on the bench.  She also signed copies of her book.  

If you missed the event and would like to purchase a copy of Judge Gertner's book, you can receive a discount with Beacon Press while supporting NHWBA.  NHWBA is a member of the Beacon Press affiliate program, which allows our members to purchase books through Beacon Press at a 20% discount while NHWBA receives 10% of each purchase.  To enjoy this benefit, please type in NHWBA for the affiliate code on check out.  

Click here to read an excerpt from Judge Gertner's book. 

From left to right:  Holly B. Haines, Esquire, President of NHWBA, Dean John T. Broderick, Jr., Esquire, of UNH School of Law, Honorable Nancy Gertner, Honorable Carol Ann Conboy, and Gretchen E. Pyles, Esquire, Executive Director of NHWBA 

  NHWBA Makes Strides for Breast Cancer

On Sunday, October 16th, several members of NHWBA and their families walked three miles through Manchester as part of the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" event. NHWBA's team raised over $1500 to help fund research and education initiatives.  NHWBA's team walked in celebration of survivorship, in honor of loved ones, and as an occasion to express hope and raise awareness about the steps we can take to help prevent the disease. 

NHWBA team members take a photo break on the walking bridge over the Merrimack River.

NHWBA and UNH School of Law Women's Law Student Association Begin Protégé Program    

Would you like to be a mentor to a UNH School of Law student?  Here's your chance to share your wisdom with future bar members.  Let them see first hand what you do on a daily basis and share your insights into the practice of law.  Click here to view the application for this exciting new program. 

We are also organizing a mentorship subcommittee to help facilitate this program.  If you are interested in joining the subcommittee or are interested in becoming a mentor, please e-mail our Executive Director, Gretchen Pyles, at Gretchen@nhwba.org. 

NHWBA Board Participates in US Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program

On Monday October 17, 2011, members of the NHWBA Board of Directors met with members of the Caribbean Women's Leadership and Political Participation Project through the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.  These groups met to discuss the progress of women in the political and legal professions in our respective nations and to compare diversity issues that we share.  During the meeting the groups also discussed the need for women's lobbying, educational and legal groups in our respective nations and the Caribbean lawyers were especially interested in the differences between the unified NH Bar Association and the voluntary NH Women's Bar Association.  This international exchange of ideas was enlightening and educational and the NHWBA looks forward to welcoming these women leaders back to New Hampshire for the New Hampshire Women's Leadership Summit in Spring 2012.   Participating Caribbean leaders included the Bahamian Parliament Opposition Whip, Melanie Sharon Griffin, the Campaign Director for the PRD Party in the Dominican Republic, Faride Virginia Raful, Attorney Leslie-Ann Holukoff from Grenada, The Manager of Guyana Legal Aid and Vice President of the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers, Simone Morriss-Ramlall, Haitian Executive Director of RESPE, Marlene Gay, Professor at the University of the West Indies, Lisa Ann Vasciannie, and Policy Official at Suriname Ministry of Regional Development, Cheryl Brenda Daal.  Participating members of the NHWBA included President, Holly Haines; Immediate Past President, Kristin Mendoza; Programming Chair, Charla Stevens; Membership Secretary, Nicole Cook; Belknap County Representative Lynne Sabean;  Cheshire County Representative Sheila Burnham; Hillsborough North County Representative Kara Simard; and Strafford County Representative Sandra Cabrera. 

Judicial Openings at Supreme Court, Superior Court and Circuit Court Levels

The Governor's Judicial Selection Commission announced that it is seeking qualified applicants for judicial vacancies on the Supreme Court, Superior Court and Circuit Court.  The notice and application details are provided below.

NHWBA encourages all interested and qualified members to apply for these positions.  For an analysis of the diversity demographics of the New Hampshire judiciary and explanation for the need to get more women on the bench, as well as interviews with many of the women justices, please read the article in the Summer 2010 Bar Journal - Balancing the Scales of Justice - Achieving a Critical Mass of Women on the New Hampshire Judiciary written by NHWBA President Holly Haines.

If assistance with the application process is needed, please contact a member of the NHWBA board.  Additional resources are available from NHWBA, including Path to the Bench CLE materials, which are available to borrow. The deadline for applications is November 18, 2011.

• Supreme Court - Associate Justice  
• Superior Court  
• Circuit Court

US Commission on Civil Rights 

Finds Unequal Treatment of Women vs. Men

in the State Prison System

In a report issued on October 17, 2011, the New Hampshire State Advisory Committee to the US Commission on Civil Rights found disparity in the treatment of women versus men in the state prison system.  According to the two year study, there is a lack of adequate job training, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and private space for family visits in the women's prison.  The Committee concluded that the state's treatment of female inmates raises constitutional concerns.  To read the Committee's full report, click here. 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness              Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month by becoming informed about initiatives going on both nationally and locally.  The website for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month contains useful information and articles to better understand developments in breast cancer research and awareness.  Visit the nbcam.org website for more information.

On a local level, the New Hampshire Breast Cancer Coalition is a statewide, grassroots advocacy organization whose mission is to advocate for and provide assistance to New Hampshire residents with breast cancer.  Visit the nhbcc.org website for more information.

A Manchester, New Hampshire chapter of the Young Survival Coalition was formed in 2008 by Attorney Jennifer Turco Beaudet, of Wiggin & Nourie, P.A., who is also a member of the NHWBA.  For more information about the Manchester Young Survival Coalition, visit their website at youngsurvival.org/manchester.

The Domestic Violence Awareness Project is a national organization committed to preventing and raising awareness about domestic violence. Their website contains a considerable amount of information, including a 2011 DVAM Campaign in a Box, which can be found at their website, dvam.vawnet.org.

The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence is a statewide network of 14 independent member programs committed to ending domestic and sexual violence.  It seeks to ensure that quality services are provided to victims/survivors of domestic and sexual violence, prevent future violence by educating the public, influence public policy and encourage the provision of services for perpetrators.  For more information about the New Hampshire Coalition, visit their website, nhcadsv.org.

Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to 

African and Arab Women who have 

Campaigned Against War and Oppression

The 2011 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman "for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace-building work".  Click here to read about these amazing women.

New York Times Editorial Comments on the Glass Ceiling for Women Attorneys

The New York Times published an editorial on October 8, 2011 discussing the inequalities between male and female attorneys.  The article references a report from the ABA's Commission on Women in the Profession and states that a bias toward male attorneys is reflected in evaluations, assignments and compensation.  To read the entire editorial, click here.

ABA Commission on Women in the Profession is Accepting Nominations for the 2012 Margaret Brent Award 

The Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award, established by the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession in 1991, recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of women lawyers who have excelled in their field and have paved the way to success for other women lawyers.  The deadline for submission of nomination forms and all supporting material for the 2012 award is Tuesday, November 22, 2011.  To learn more about this award and how to make a nomination, click here. 

Save the Date: December 13, 2011

NHWBA and Massachusetts WBA

Regional Meeting and Networking Event

The Massachusetts Women's Bar Association has invited the NHWBA to its regional meeting in what we hope will become an annual event.  All NHWBA members are invited to join and a networking event in Northern Massachusetts will be following the meeting. Stay tuned for more details!

The Film "Conviction" to be shown at the Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH on October 20, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. with Post Film Panel Discussion 

The NH Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, in conjunction with the NH Civil Liberties Union, the NH Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Northeast Regional Office of Amnesty International USA are presenting this film starring Hilary Swank as a working mother who puts herself through law school in order to represent her brother who has been wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.  A post film panel discussion will be held with Betty Anne Waters, the working mother portrayed in the movie, former NH Attorney General Philip McLaughlin, and Richard Miles, a man exonerated after serving a 15 year incarceration for a Dallas murder.  For more information, click here.

 Girls on the Run of New Hampshire 

announces Lunafest!

Lunafest, a fundraising film festival dedicated to promoting awareness about women's issues, highlighting women filmmakers and bringing women together in their communities, will be hosted by the GOTR-NH Board of Directors.  Girls on the Run® is a life-changing, character development program for girls in 3rd through 8th grade.  Our mission is to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.

When:   October 20, 2011

Time:    7:00 p.m.

Where:  Cooperative Middle School, Stratham, NH

Join us for a night of celebrating women. This season's program of nine selected films will compel discussion, make you laugh, tug at your heartstrings and motivate you to make a difference in your community. Incredibly diverse in style and content, LUNAFEST is united by a common thread of exceptional storytelling by, for and about women. Tickets available at the door for $10, but to order tickets online, click here.

YWCA New Hampshire 

Susan B. Anthony Dinner 

honoring

Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Senator Kelly Ayotte

Date:          October 24, 2011

Time:          5:00 p.m

Location:     Center of New Hampshire 

                  Manchester, NH 

Keynote speaker Susan Crown is the chairman and founder of SCE, 

a social investment organization that connects talent and innovation with market forces to drive social change.  SCE's first program focuses on the development and distribution of digital media that help children learn skills necessary for the 21st Century workplace and civic life.  Click here for more information about this event.

  NH's 6th Annual Go Red for Women Luncheon

Date:        November 1, 2011

Time:       10:00 a.m. - Registration

               10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. - Breakout Sessions

Location:  Radisson Hotel, 700 Main Street, Manchester, NH

Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association's national campaign to increase awareness of heart disease - the leading cause of death for women - and to inspire women to make the choice to take charge of their heart health. Its fundraising efforts support the educational programs that the American Heart Association provides and the life-saving research it funds to reduce the effects of heart disease in women.  For more information or to register for this event, click here. 

Volunteer NH! Spirit of New Hampshire Awards!

When:    November 8, 2011

Where:   Capitol Center for the Arts

             Concord, NH

Time:     5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Cost:     $50 for optional dinner from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. 

The Spirit of New Hampshire Awards Celebration, hosted by Volunteer NH in collaboration with the Office of the Governor, honors outstanding contributions to volunteerism throughout the state of New Hampshire. Spirit Awards augment the many local recognition events that show appreciation for the work of community volunteers and volunteer programs.

This year's program will be more inclusive, recognizing more volunteers whose work has been a benefit to New Hampshire. The Awards Ceremony will begin at 7:00 p.m. The recognition ceremony will be provided at no cost, however an optional dinner will be held from 

5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. for $50.  

Click here to register to attend the Awards Celebration. 

NHWBA Members are Invited to the 

NAWL Foundation's Fall Reception

Date:     November 15, 2011

Time:    5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where:  Hyatt Hotels Corporation

            71 South Wacher Drive

            Chicago, Illinois

Formed in 2008, the NAWL Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to research and education that advance women's rights and women in the law.  The event is complimentary but donations are appreciated.  The proceeds from the event will be used to support the NAWL Project Against Sex Trafficking, its National Survey on Retention and Promotion of Women in Law Firms, and its National Survey on Women's Initiatives.