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Women Rising – Social Impact Report 2017-18

Practice Group, came to it from the table, the blueprint you could “I think it’s mission-critical
almost the inverse context: the say, and we have those years for the firm, to be honest,” Co-
labor practice was led by wom- of lessons and that experience hen asserts. “Diversity makes us
en, with a strong female ros- to inform our decisions going all stronger in the end. And these
ter. “I recognized that others forward.” Baron agrees: “I don’t efforts afford us the opportuni-
did not enjoy the same kinds think the drive is to be bigger at ty to meet new people and find
of relationships that I did, and I this point, but to be even more common ground—which, when
thought those benefits should targeted,” focusing on more in- you think about it, is our job as
be shared across the firm.” Inter- Michele Cohen, Principal timate partnerships with mem- lawyers. It’s our job as human
nally, the Women’s Network was bers of the business community. beings, too.”
an opportunity to connect wom- “We’re looking at joint events
en colleagues across practices and participating in development Baron nods. “Look, we all
and offices. opportunities tailored to specific spend a lot of time here—we’re
needs or specific organizations.” dedicated professionals. We
Over time, the Women’s Additionally, the group wants to need our workplace to be an en-
Network has expanded its fo- continue to highlight empower- vironment that is accepting of us
cus, connecting not just wom- ment and raise community aware- and our perspectives. Everyone
en colleagues within the Miles Stephanie Baron, Principal ness on women’s issues. needs to feel they belong.” ■
& Stockbridge walls, but those “We work hard to make sure ways to combat it, but ended with
beyond—women professionals that we create an evening that is the realization that educating girls
across our mid-Atlantic foot- both enjoyable and insightful, but was a high-return investment to-
print, clients and industry lead- some of the greatest outcomes in ward breaking the cycle of poverty
ers. Its mission likewise contin- and out of the firm are generated around the world. “The event was
ues to broaden, with a renewed by the informal networking and a great success on its own, but the
focus on the retention and pro- interactions that occur,” she says. lessons provided by the film itself
motion of strong female pro- “The strong connections made speak just as much to what we’re
fessionals, and a dedication to have a tendency to have a positive trying to achieve in our own way,
professional development and ripple effect.” that blend of the social and the “United Way of Central Maryland is grateful for the
educational programming. “Our educational,” notes Baron.
biggest goal, if you can break it The group also recently longstanding support and philanthropic leadership
down to its most basic compo- co-hosted a Charles Theatre “And the inspirational,” adds of Miles & Stockbridge. Their volunteerism and
nents,” according to Cohen, “is screening of Girl Rising, in partner-
to help women find their voice Cohen. corporate gifts have been instrumental in advancing
in the business world and enjoy ship with the firm’s Social Impact
the seat at the table that they Committee. The film was the cul- The diversity landscape has United Way’s mission of improving lives throughout
unquestionably deserve.” mination of six years of journalism changed significantly in the last de- our region.”
that brought to life the person- cades, but there is obviously more

The Women’s Network hosts al stories of real girls across the room for growth on all fronts. This — Elise Lee,
its signature Women’s Sympo- globe, as well as the various—and holds true as well for the Women’s UWCM Chief Development Officer
sium, now in its 15th year, each daunting—barriers they face. As Network. We’re not the only game
November, an event Baron lauds Girl Rising aptly depicts, the film- in town anymore,” Cohen says.
for serving as a hub for all the makers began with the intent of “What differentiates us, though,
benefits of the affinity group. investigating global poverty and is that we were among the first to

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