The Mid-Michigan Region held another successful annual dinner on June 20, 2018. Located at the Michigan State University Club, we heard empowering speeches from 29th Circuit Court Judge Michelle M. Rick, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kurtis T. Wilder, and Michigan Supreme Court Justice Bridget Mary McCormack. The goal of the night was empowering women and their male allies to continue to break through the “concrete ceiling” as Justice Bridge Mary McCormack described it while referring to rather shocking and sobering data for women in the law. We look forward to using the energy created at this event to fuel our many endeavors ahead this year. Thanks to Justice Bridget Mary McCormack, #breakitdown is now trending for WLAM.
Attendance was our best yet and ticket sales raised money for our Carolyn A. Stell scholarship. We hope to increase the scholarship we provide based on our fundraising goals this year.
We announced a book drive we will be running through August 2018 to support reading and discussion within the Phoenix Court of Ingham County members – minor victims of human trafficking that are mentored by Judge Laura Braid and her team.
As it was the annual meeting, we also approved the 2018-2019 board for WLAM Mid- Michigan. Judge Joyce Draganchuk, Katie Tucker, Katherine Bennett, Susan Chalgian, and Melanie Smith are returning board members. We would like to welcome Aylysh Gallagher as a new board member!
Our next event will be a members-only event where we will sip wine, eat hors d’oeuvres, and decorate a bra. “It’s A Breast Thing” helps women cover their out-of-pocket costs while they undergo breast cancer treatment. On October 2, 2018, they host a large fundraising event where decorated bras are modeled and voted on. We plan to be there to cheer our bra on, support the cause, and have fun!
