Page 16 - OWLS AdvanceSheet Winter 2017

OWLS Foundation Congratulates

the 2016 Armonica Grant Recipients

By Trudy Allen

he OWLS Foundation (OWLF) is est Law Project, helping to raise funds
pleased to congratulate 2016’s for students who want to work with
Trecipients of the Armonica Law underserved communities. She has also
Student Grant, which awards $1,000 for clerked at a civil rights law firm. Laura is
textbook costs to each of six 3L students paired with U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie
attending the three Oregon law schools Beckerman.
who can demonstrate a commitment to Tessa Copeland, also at Lewis & Clark
the Foundation’s goals through their Law School, has been active in numerous
personal volunteer or educational experi- activities that promote the OWLS mission,
ence. This grant program also matches such as diversity work at the law school
each recipient with a judge, who will be and both pro bono work and board
a mentor for the student for the year. service for immigration-related organiza-
The 2016 recipients are Jen Penaherrera, tions. Her mentor is Multnomah County Ted Kulongoski, then a justice
Angela Rico, Laura Koistinen, Tessa Circuit Court Judge Adrienne Nelson. on the Oregon Supreme Court,
Copeland, Gabriela Perez-Mendoza, and and Armonica Gilford in 1997
Bailey Moody.
Jen Penaherrera, who is attending OWLF thanks this year’s mentor-judges
the University of Oregon School of Law, for their service and support of the Ar-
is a 2016–2017 Wayne Morse Fellow. monica Grant program. Special thanks go
She is using that opportunity to frame to Judge Adrienne Nelson, who is serving
a discussion around intersectionality, as a mentor for the ninth time and was
an area about which she is passionate. one of the first mentors when this grant
Her mentor is Lane County Circuit Court program started in 2007.
Judge Josephine Mooney. Members of the OWLF board and
Angela Rico, also at UO Law, believes advisory board gathered with recipi-
strongly in the importance of giving back, ents and judges at three events in late
having experienced the help and support November and early December to cele-
Magistrate Judge Stacie Beckerman (left) brate the Armonica Grant recipients in
and Laura Koistinen Eugene, Portland, and Salem. Pictured
here are two of the recipients with their
Gabriela Perez-Mendoza, at Willa- mentor-judges at the event in Portland.
mette University College of Law, always During this event Judges Eve Miller and
dreamed of becoming a lawyer, but Adrienne Nelson both talked about their
achieving this dream is just the beginning. personal recollections and warm admira-
She is committed to doing legal work in tion for Armonica Gilford, for whom the
service of immigrant populations and grant is named.
the indigenous peoples of the world, Armonica was the first black woman
in pursuit of human rights and dignity. to serve as an assistant attorney general
She is paired with Marion County Circuit in the Oregon Department of Justice.
Court Judge Cheryl Pellegrini. She was the recipient of OWLS’ Judge
Judge Eve Miller (left) and Angela Rico Bailey Moody, also at Willamette, is Mercedes Deiz Award in 1997. She served
of many others on her own journey. She president of two organizations at the on the OWLF board from 1998 to 2004.
is active in specialty bars and nonprofits law school, the Women’s Law Caucus and After she died in October 2005, due to
serving immigrant communities. She is OUTLAWs, the LGBTQ law student orga- complications from a car accident, the
paired with Clackamas County Circuit nization. She currently works in the area grant was created as a memorial, to hon-
Court Judge Eve Miller. of indigent criminal defense and hopes or her many professional and personal
Laura Koistinen, at Lewis & Clark Law to continue with similar work serving contributions to the community.
School, was inspired by her mother to her community upon graduation. Her Trudy Allen has retired from the practice
pursue education at almost any cost. She mentor is Oregon Supreme Court Justice of law. She is the historian and secretary
is a board member for the Public Inter- Lynn Nakamoto. of the OWLS Foundation.

For more information about the OWLS Foundation, please visit www.owlsfoundation.org.
For more information about OWLS chapters and activities, please visit www.oregonwomenlawyers.org.

OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 16 WINTER 2017