A group of alumnae recently joined forces to endow a fund in support of the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers chapter at the University of Georgia School of Law. It will assist the organization formerly known as the Women Law Students Association with programming and activities for its members and the greater law school community.
This new funding will transform the group’s ability to support women law students in their academic and professional journeys, according to GAWL president and vice president Mary Elizabeth Entrekin and Maggie Galvin, respectively. “We hope to use the funds to host networking events with accomplished women in GAWL chapters around the state of Georgia and UGA Law alumnae, provide mentorship opportunities, and support leadership development programs,” the current law students said. “It will also help us to create initiatives that foster a stronger sense of community and inclusion within the law school.”
Regarding why she chose to help create this new fund, Jen Jordan (J.D.’01) said that early on in her career, she realized that one of the most important things you can do as a woman lawyer is to foster relationships with other women lawyers who are facing the same challenges as you and who can be both a friend and ally in a very tough profession. “For me, the most significant and important relationships that I have with other women – professionally and personally – all began at UGA Law. I see supporting this fund for future women lawyers as just one way to help these incredible young women build stronger relationships with each other.”
Tedra Cannella, a 2007 School of Law alumna and contributor to the fund, said women are great at supporting each other socially and emotionally, but she would like to see them support each other better on the business side of law. “I am fortunate to have a network of women lawyers who helped make the law firm I co-founded a success beyond anything I imagined, and the GAWL Support Fund is an opportunity to pay that forward.”
School of Law Dean Peter B. "Bo" Rutledge said he wanted to personally thank Jen and Tedra in addition to Eleanor Banister (J.D.’80), Jessica Casey (J.D.’10), Meredith Lee (J.D.’11), Vicki Sweeny (J.D.’83), Audrey Tillman (J.D.’89), Sally Yates (J.D.’86) and an anonymous donor, who all have made this new fund possible. "GAWL members have long enjoyed their role in organizing the Edith House Lecture, which honors one of the first female graduates of the law school. However, the endowment supporting the lecture series is primarily dedicated to the annual event. This new fund will assist GAWL members with growing their impact within the law school community and beyond," he said.
"Our law school strives to provide world-class, hands-on and purpose-driven experiences for our students as we seek to redefine what it means to be a great national public law school. Support for our student organizations through endowments like the GAWL Support Fund makes important enrichment opportunities possible while also fostering authentic relationships that will last a lifetime!" Rutledge said.
Pictured above: At the fall 2024 Law Student Organization Fair, Georgia Association of Women Lawyers members (l. to r.) Allison Brown, Jessie Thompson, Mary Elizabeth Entrekin and Kate Jeffries are ready to greet law school classmates wanting to learn more about the group.