Page 2 - OWLS Spring 2017 AdvanceSheet

President’s Message

ccord - lifting up those whose civil rights hav-
Aing to en’t always been protected or viewed
the Oxford as equal. I would argue that civil rights
Living Dictio- are so fundamental that they should be
nary, the first generally accepted as a societal norm.
definition of But until we universally accept basic civil
President the word rights for all, regardless of color, ethnicity,
Laura Craska Cooper “political” nation of origin, gender, religion, sexual
Vice President, President-Elect is “relating orientation, or gender identification,
Angela Franco Lucero
Secretary to the gov- we will have to continue to engage in
Hon. Allison Boomer ernment or “political” activities to promote the
Treasurer Laura Craska Cooper public affairs rights of these historically marginalized
Amber Hollister of a country.” individuals and groups.
Historian Is OWLS a “political” organization? Un- If our focus on civil rights and justice
Megan Burgess der the formal definition, most certainly. and equality weren’t justification enough
Board Members I’ve been thinking about this a lot (and it should be) to validate our decision
Jacqueline Alarcón lately, ever since I received a call a couple to engage our elected officials regarding
Maya Crawford
Sara Kobak of weeks ago from an OWLS member in the national agenda, the fact that we
Katharine Lozano response to the letter that I sent, at the seek to transform the practice of law
Hon. Valeri Love direction of the OWLS board, to Oregon through our efforts and advocacy certain-
Aruna Masih
Banafsheh Violet Nazari Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley. ly should cause us to share our views. Our
Jennifer Nicholls The letter asked that our senators op- system of government is founded on the
Yumi O’Neil pose the confirmation of then-Senator rule of law. Our government, indeed our
Susan Pitchford
Adele Ridenour Jeff Sessions for attorney general of the society, works because the overwhelming
Kristin Sterling United States. Of course, the letter did majority of us respect and honor the
Amanda Thorpe not have much of a practical effect. Both legal foundation of our government.
Val Tomasi
Gloria Trainor Oregon senators had already announced As lawyers, we have a duty to respect
Jim Yocom their opposition to Sessions’s appoint- and advocate for the rule of law. As an
Past Presidents ment. And as we now know, Sessions organization dedicated to transforming
Elizabeth Tedesco Milesnick didn’t need their votes to be confirmed. the practice of law, that duty is doubly
Kendra Matthews
Kathleen Rastetter But in my view, the letter was import- incumbent upon us.
Megan Livermore ant. Through his words and his actions, So if our mission is political, then why
Heather L. Weigler Senator Sessions had demonstrated a shouldn’t we engage in political activi-
Concetta Schwesinger
Gwyneth McAlpine hostility to the core of OWLS’ mission to ties? I believe that if we are unwilling to
Heather Van Meter “transform the practice of law and ensure engage in political activities, then our
Laura Caldera Taylor justice and equality by advancing women mission doesn’t matter because it will
Kellie Johnson
Norma S. Freitas and minorities in the legal profession.” never be achieved. It is only by standing
Kate A. Wilkinson The OWLS member who called to ob- up for what we believe, by arguing
Jennifer K. De Wald ject to the letter wanted to know why with those who disagree, by loudly and
Sarah J. Crooks
Elizabeth Schwartz and when OWLS had begun engaging publicly objecting to those who seek to
Lori E. Deveny in political activities. The member didn’t undermine our mission that we will make
Debra Pilcher Velure
Marilyn E. Litzenberger necessarily agree with the letter, but the progress. No one ever “transformed” any-
Teresa M. Kraemer larger point the member tried to make thing or achieved “justice and equality”
Patricia L. Heatherman was that OWLS shouldn’t engage in po- by talking among themselves or taking
Julie Levie Caron
Phylis Chadwell Myles litical activities. I was surprised because positions with which all in the universe
Helle Rode I had always understood OWLS’ mission agreed. So we will continue to speak up.
Diana Craine to be political. We will continue to march. We will con-
Kathryn M. Ricciardelli
Agnes Sowle In looking at the definition above, I tinue to write letters. We will and should
Katherine H. O’Neil think OWLS’ mission is clearly political. continue to engage in political activities.
Executive Director It seems unlikely that an organization Morality is well and good. But what
Linda Tomassi would be able to ensure justice and about the practical aspects of this de-
executivedirector@
oregonwomenlawyers.org equality by advancing women and mi- cision? First, OWLS is permitted under
Editor norities in the legal profession without the federal tax code to take political
Elise Gautier relating to the government and public positions and engage in advocacy on
elise.gautier@comcast.net affairs of the United States. OWLS is, political issues. That’s part of the reason
www.oregonwomenlawyers.org fundamentally, about civil rights and Continued on page 3

Our mission is to transform the practice of law and ensure justice
and equality by advancing women and minorities in the legal profession.

OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 2 SPRING 2017