Update on the Work of our Advocates
2000-2001 Advocates Begin Work Jacqueline Asiimwe is this year’s Patricia King Fellow. A lawyer from Uganda, she was working as a human rights officer at Action for Development, advocating legal reforms in Uganda to promote women’s and children’s rights in issues such as property rights, violence against women, family law, sexual harassment and early childhood sexual involvement. Jackie was chairperson of the Uganda chapter of Women in Law and Development in Africa and was chosen as a “Leader of Tomorrow” by Uganda’s leading newspaper. She received her law degree from Makerere University in 1993 and her Diploma in Legal Practice from Uganda’s Law Development Centre in 1995. She has chosen to write her major research paper on the Women’s Movement in Uganda, titling it “One Step Forward Two Steps Back.” Jackie’s Fellowship is supported by the Sandler Family Supporting Foundation.

Women’s Law Alum Regan Ralph Delivers Keynote at Orientation Luncheon
The Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program held its annual luncheon to welcome new Fellows on Tuesday, September 12. Over 100 guests, including Georgetown University Law Center (Georgetown University Law Center) faculty and staff, program supporters, alums, advisory board and board members and members of placement organizations gathered to greet the 2000-2001 Advocates and learn about their upcoming work as Fellows. Executive Director Mary Hartnett opened the program by welcoming the 18th class of Women’s Law Fellows and guests. She then introduced Georgetown University Law Center Dean Judith Areen, citing her vision in leading the school and promoting justice around the globe. Dean Areen spoke briefly, describing the Fellowship Program as an example of “what the dedication of a few people can do.” Board members Judith Lichtman and Marcia Greenberger then introduced this year’s Advocates.

Mentors Meet New Advocates at Orientation
A special thank you to the following alumnae who have volunteered to serve as mentors to the new Advocates: Janese Bechtol, Cassandra Butts, Frances Cook, Pamela Coukos, Cristina Firvida, Margaret Johnson, Amybeth Garcia-Bokor, Alma Henderson, Laurie Kohn, Jill Morrison, Jacqueline Scott, Christine Webber, and Marcy Wilder. All volunteered to meet the new Advocates at orientation and to mentor them throughout the fellowship year. WLPPFP thanks these and other alums for their assistance in making the Fellowship a unique and fulfilling experience.

WLPPFP Receives Community Service Award
On July 6, 2000 the International Law Section of the DC Bar presented the Fellowship Program the 2000 Community Service Award for Public Service in International Law. The event was keynoted by U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky, who addressed more than 90 international lawyers about U.S. Trade Policy in Africa. 1999-2000 LAWA Fellow Sarah Lubega also spoke at the luncheon, discussing her work and the work of other LAWA Fellows and alums in Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania. The award included a generous $5,000 donation to the Program.
An article highlighting the luncheon appeared in the July/August 2000 edition of Washington Lawyer magazine. Special thanks go to Abby Cohen Smutny and Komita Primalani of the DC Bar International Law Section for their support for this event.

1999-2000 Seminars and Events
The 1999-2000 Fellowship year was capped by several exciting seminars and events, where the Fellows discussed key women’s rights issues with each other and with national leaders, were briefed on and attended groundbreaking Supreme Court cases, and worked with each other, program alumnae, staff, and board members, in order to make the most of their Fellowship experience and help them better serve others. See highlighted

1999-2000 Fellows Continue Work in Public Interest
We are once again delighted to report that all of last year’s Fellows have secured challenging positions in the public interest where they will continue to promote women’s rights.

Program Happenings
This summer WLPPFP launched its new web site. Designed by WLPPFP volunteer Roy Speckhardt, the web site features our Outreach newsletter, application materials, photos of program events, donation forms, and information regarding both the WLPPFP and LAWA programs. Many thanks to Roy for his hard work and creativity in engineering this site. Additional features are in the works, so visit us frequently to see what’s new!

WLPPFP Alums Increase Outreach Efforts
Once again our alums have responded with enthusiasm to our request for WLPPFP “Ambassadors” to conduct out-reach presentations at law schools across the country. Our most sincere thanks go to alums Christine Webber, Jackie Scott, Jennifer Goldberg, Lourdes Rivera, Laurie Mikva, Kathryn Vaclavik, Robin Levi, Catherine Caporusso, Deborah Epstein, Lynn Paltrow, Mary Whisner, Merle Weiner, Hope Lewis, Karin Raye, Joan Meier, Karen Guss, Janet Chung and Cristine Nardi for volunteering. Your time and dedication have made our outreach efforts a success!