And we’re off! WLA has already hosted lots of events this year — and we’re just getting started. In addition to already successful welcome activities for our 1Ls, our committees are kicking off events for the entire HLS community this week. I made it to one such event tonight where I had the chance to get insight from a successful woman legislator, spend quality time with fellow WLAers, and get a free meal. A successful evening, I’d say!
State Representative Ruth Balser was the first guest for WLA’s new event format, Success Day-to-Day. WLA board member Laura Wolf, who organized tonight’s dinner, told the group that the goal of the new format was for members to interact with women leaders in smaller, more intimate settings — ones where we could ask questions about day-to-day work and get details about navigating different career paths. Rep. Balser, who serves the 12th Middlesex District, graciously took time out of her schedule to tell us why she decided to get involved in public service and what the challenges and rewards of her work include. We had lots of questions — about women in politics, social justice issues, and the behind-the-scenes parts of legislating. Fortunately, Rep. Balser had plenty of answers. Having held her current office for 13 years, she has led the way for change regarding mental health issues, protecting the environment, and promoting equal rights. Most rewarding, Rep. Balser said, is knowing that her work in the legislature has allowed her to play a direct role in improving her local community.
Tonight’s event was absolutely worth taking time away from homework to think about one of the many paths possible after law school. I’m already a big fan of the new Success Day-to-Day format, and I can’t wait for the next one.
On a totally unrelated note, WLA is thrilled that our Big Sister/Little Sister mentoring program for 1Ls is taking off this year. But as more 1Ls sign on, we’re on the search for some welcoming 2Ls and 3Ls interested in getting to know the newest women members of the HLS community. Email us at wla@mail.law.harvard.edu to sign up today!
–Emily Wales, New Media Chair