“You can never leave footprints that last if you are always walking on tiptoe” – Leymah Gbowee
Over the 2020-2021 year, WLAM developed Fearless Conversations. Fearless Conversations is the brainchild of the WLAM programming committee that is built on three simple, yet significant questions:
- What conversations do women lawyers have with colleagues that seem to be on replay?
- What are the lawyerly topics we only discuss at our homes and avoid at the office?
- What are we afraid to ask about/talk about with our male counterparts?
WLAM, in turn, selected content that answers those pivotal questions. As part of the inaugural session and subsequent sessions that followed, the Gender Equity Committee partnered and hosted. The sessions were recorded and archived in the hopes of creating a library of information for those currently in the legal profession and for those yet to come. In so doing, we empower our female law students, lawyers, and judges alike by learning together, leaning on each other, and ultimately lifting each other up.
What is our ultimate goal? In the words of WLAM Secretary Tanya Grillo, “Let’s dig deep and get real.”
For the first segment, the focus was salary negotiations. This topic was selected as it remains a pivotal issue in the struggle for gender equality. It also remains an almost “taboo” or rarely explored topic in the legal field. While there are reasons for why this is, the reasons in of themselves do not make it any easier to find a meaningful way to discuss. As such, this content was important for WLAM to tackle and provided an excellent platform to address compensation questions and self-promotion in salary negotiations. The conversation also allowed for an informal Q&A to follow, allowing the audience to participate freely and organically.
The second installment centered on self-advocacy, the paradox of apologizing, and leadership. For this conversation, the paradox of apologizing was a pivotal topic. Studies indicate that women, on average, apologize more than men. Rationale for doing so include theories that men have a higher threshold for what is considered offensive, the difference in the way men and women communicate, and self-perception. Regardless of the reasons, unnecessarily apologizing appears as a weakness and minimizes the strength of the individual. How to improve? Be intentional and confident. Apologize when you truly need to and find words other than apologetic language to express your point. The conversation also addressed women in leadership – how we need to lift each other up and support. Whether an individual is new to leadership or has years of experience, the importance of both mentorship and sponsorship is key.
The third and final segment of the season focused on women as business owners and identified opportunities of worth and creating their own brand. How does one juggle a business along with practice? How does one work toward the proverbial work/life balance? What advice can be provided for those who are looking to boldly move on their own? These questions and more were answered by the panelists and provided insights for women in the legal profession as we move forward.
Looking back on its first year, Fearless Conversations encouraged intentional and insightful dialogue between women in the legal profession. They also inspired honest thoughts regarding contemporary topics that are relevant and not discussed as often as they should. As an organization, we continue grow together, learn, and lean on each other. The Gender Equity Committee is incredibly honored to be part of it all and is looking forward to the year ahead.
