On Tuesday, March 18, the Women’s Law Caucus at WashU Law hosted its 26th annual International Women’s Day Celebration in the Janite Lee Reading Room at Anheuser-Busch Hall. The evening was dedicated to recognizing the achievements of women pioneers in the legal profession, fostering connections between students and professionals, and honoring leaders who have contributed to the advancement of women in law.
This year marked the 155th anniversary of the admission of women to WashU Law. Lemma Barkeloo and Phoebe Couzins were members of the WashU Law entering class in fall 1869, only two years after the law school opened its doors. Barkeloo passed the Missouri Bar in spring 1870, making her Missouri’s first and the country’s second female licensed attorney. Couzins graduated WashU Law in spring 1871, the university’s and the law school’s, first female graduate, and traveled the country with Susan B. Anthony to advocate for women’s rights and prison reform.
The event featured keynote addresses from Judge Shirley Padmore Mensah, WashU Law ’95, who spoke about her journey from growing up in Liberia to law firm partner at Husch Blackwell, to becoming Chief Magistrate Judge of the Eastern District of Missouri, and Christina Boyd, Professor of Law and Political Science at WashU, who spoke on her research regarding women in the judiciary, including her recent book, Supreme Bias: Gender and Race in U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings. Both speakers attested to the unique challenges of being a woman in the legal profession, highlighting the progress that has been made in overcoming these struggles, the work still to be accomplished, and their hopes for the next generation of women in the legal field.
In addition to the keynote speaker honorees, the Women’s Law Caucus also honored four outstanding individuals for their contributions to the advancement of women in the legal profession, whose achievements were highlighted by Karen Tokarz, Charles Nagel Professor of Law & Public Policy at WashU Law, former faculty advisor for the Women’s Law Caucus, who initiated the International Women’s Day celebration in 2000. The honorees included: Susan Appleton, Lemma Barkeloo and Phoebe Couzins Professor of Law at WashU Law, celebrating her 50th year of teaching at the law school; Deionna Ferguson, WashU Law ’00, associate at Polsinelli law firm and director of the law school Marshall Brennan Fellowship Program; Melanie Keeney, WashU Law ’90, founding shareholder of Tueth, Keeney, Cooper, Mohan & Jackstadt; and Jessica Mayo, WashU Law ’12, co-founder of the Migrant and Immigrant Community Action Project. These individuals have demonstrated an enduring commitment to supporting and uplifting women in law through their work, leadership, and mentorship.
The event concluded with a networking hour, where students had the opportunity to engage with accomplished legal professionals in the St. Louis area.