May her Memory be a Blessing 2020 2021
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2020 - 2021
Women’s Law & Public Policy Fellowship Program
at Georgetown Law
May her
Memory be a
Blessing
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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Tribute
This newsletter is dedicated to
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
The Justice was a longtime friend
of the Women’s Law & Public
Policy Fellowship Program,
and spent time each year with
the fellows over tea. It was my
pleasure as the Program Director
to bear witness to her impact on
these young women and men Marya Torrez, seated fifth from right
who have decided to devote their
Marya Torrez (US 2007-2008)
careers to advancing equality and
I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to be in her presence and thankful for all
justice. she did to pave the way and create a better world for us to live in. I met RBG first
at our tea, and then a second time was when I was sworn into the Supreme Court
Included are pictures from many bar as part of my Georgetown Law ten-year reunion. After the swearing in, we
went back to a room where our families were and waited for one or more Justices
of our teas, as well as some other to come speak to us. This is how my partner describes it:
pictures and words in tribute to I remember this day so vividly. Marya was sworn into the Supreme Court Bar,
the icon we affectionately call along with many of her Georgetown alumni. Chief Justice Roberts walked in
waving his arms as if to say “Hey! Look at me! I’m here!” He was given a cordial
RBG. I know that many of our welcome. Then Justice Ginsburg walked in. There were audible gasps. Everyone
Fellows were simply too bereft to instantly started beaming. Some cried at the honor of being in her presence! You
can see the expression on their faces when she first walked in.
write anything. I hope that these
remembrances inspire you to
continue the work of Justice Ruth
Bader Ginsburg. Her memory is
indeed a blessing.
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Lynn Paltrow (US 1984-1985) least sometimes) on the basis of sex. That vised the military to withdraw Captain Struck’s
case, Reed v. Reed, successfully challenged discharge and to change the rule so that preg-
Over the years, and primarily because of the an Idaho state law that specified that “males nancy would no longer be automatic grounds
Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellowship must be preferred to females” in appointing for discharge. That is what the Air Force did,
Program, I have had several opportunities to administrators of estates. The decision held making the case “moot” and preventing it from
meet with Justice Ginsburg. One of these that the law’s preference for men was arbitrary continuing and being decided by the Supreme
times was immediately following a Supreme and unconstitutional. Court.
Court oral argument on a case I had filed,
helped to try and continued to work on after That decision, however, was just the Why do I tell you all this? Because that Court
starting National Advocates for Pregnant beginning. Justice Ginsburg knew that has still not recognized that government efforts
Women; Ferguson v. City of Charleston. We full protection for women under the equal to control and coerce women in relationship
won that case with Justice Ginsburg among protection clause would not exist unless the to their pregnancies and pregnancy outcomes
the six- member majority. That was the case Courts recognized that the Constitution — including abortion — are prohibited by the
challenging the Medical University of South also prohibited discrimination based on the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection
Carolina’s policy of secretly searching preg- capacity for pregnancy and pregnancy itself. clause. It is why so many prosecutors and
nant patients (almost all of them Black) for So, she looked for and found a case that would legislators believe there are no constitutional
evidence of drug use. If they tested positive, expose and address this discrimination. That limits on their power to use pregnancy as a
hospital staff turned their confidential medical case was Struck v. Secretary of Defense. basis for locking-up women. It is why National
information over to the police and coordinated Advocates for Pregnant Women must continue
their arrest. These patients were taken out of Susan Struck was serving as a Captain in the to fight on behalf of so many people including
the hospital in chains and shackles, some still U.S. Air Force, when, as a single woman, she Latice Fisher and Chelsea Becker.
pregnant, others still bleeding from just having became pregnant. The Air Force, however, had
given birth. While the holding of the Supreme a strict rule: terminate the pregnancy or face As someone who considers herself a “daughter-
Court decision is typically squeezed into a immediate discharge. It was a perfect case for in-law” of Justice Ginsburg, I will continue to
fairly narrow legal box, I think of it as one that exposing the scope of the government power be part of that fight. And in these times when
stands for the broad proposition that all medi- to control and coerce women because of their it is so easy to despair and to focus on division,
cal patients, including pregnant women, are reproductive capacity. Indeed, thousands of I ask you to continue to fight not only in
fully protected by the 4th Amendment’s prohi- women were thrown out of the US military memory of Justice Ginsburg, a white, Jewish
bition on unwarranted searches and seizures. because they continued their pregnancies to woman, but also the extraordinary, brilliant
term. Black lawyer and theologian Pauli Murray who
As many people know by now, in her early developed the legal strategy Ginsburg used to
years, Ruth Bader Ginsburg brought the Although Ginsburg lost her challenges to the persuade the Supreme Court to recognize that
challenge that resulted in the Supreme Court’s policy in the lower federal courts, the U.S. the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection
first decision recognizing that the Fourteenth Solicitor General believed the Air Force might Clause protects women.
Amendment’s equal protection clause applies lose in the Supreme Court. As a result, he ad-
to women and prohibits discrimination (at
National
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Justine F. Andronici (US 2002-2003) the most important equality battles for our
generation of women’s rights lawyers would
I went to law school because of Justice be. I expected her to talk about equal pay, or
Ginsburg. continued problems of race and gender-based
employment discrimination. Instead, she said
As a young feminist organizer and activist,
that the roll back of our reproductive rights
I learned about her brilliant strategy as an
would be the most crucial battle we faced.
advocate attorney with the ACLU Women’s
She talked about the lack of meaningful
Rights Project. I wanted to be like Justice
reproductive freedom for poor women and
Ginsburg, to use the law and to help advance
women of color, and the significant trend
equality.
in the Court eroding the Roe and Casey
Sitting in the room with Justice Ginsburg decisions, explaining that without reproductive
during my post-graduate fellowship with freedom, equality for women was not possible.
WLPPFP was truly one of the most powerful
The next time I had the privilege of being in
influential moments in my career. Justice Beth Burkstrand-Reid (US 2005-2006)
Justice Ginsburg’s presence was at the storied
Ginsburg had recently recovered from a bout
Sewall Belmont House, the home of the Just after this photo she asked me to please
of cancer, a fact that was not at the time
National Women’s Party during the final days sit down. “We’ve had a heart attack in the
widely known. She entered the room where
of the suffrage movement, in the Summer of Supreme Court before but I don’t think
we met with her at the Supreme Court, and
2018 at an event which I was truly honored to we’ve had a baby.” She then talked about
a feeling of awe and gravitas swept over our
suggest and help to organize. As I watched the
small group. As she sat gingerly and spoke the need for a new generation of women’s
Justice take the stage and listened to her quiet
quietly about her path to the Supreme Court, rights activists. Lola was born just after
brilliance once again, I was reminded of that
she told the story of her history. She spoke —5 weeks early. We always joke that she
day long ago when I met her as a young lawyer.
of how she had been treated as a woman heard Justice Ginsburg and came run-
There was a profound respect in the energy
lawyer who couldn’t get a job after law school, ning.
of the room as she once again offered her
and about how far we have come since then.
answers to each question with a very precise
She described her work at ACLU Women’s
explanation of our legal history.
Rights Project, her step by step, case by
case, strategic approach to individual cases Listening that day, it felt as if Justice Ginsburg
to change the meaning of the Constitution to was once again, trying to make sure each of Moza Jadeed (LAWA 2008-2009)
include women. the leaders in attendance truly understood announced that some of the Kenyan
what it took to get where we are, case by case, LAWA Alumnae held RBG Memorial
It was clear Justice Ginsburg felt it was
step by step. I found myself reflecting deeply Proceedings on Friday, October 9th
critically important to tell us, a group of young
on my own career, hoping I was doing enough,
and eager women’s rights lawyers, how it was
as she mentioned the work yet to be done to
that we got where we were. As a young lawyer
guarantee equality for women. She talked that
acutely aware of continued inequalities and
day about the work ahead, noting the absence
the challenges we faced, I also cherished Neena Chaudhry (US 1997-1998)
of an Equal Rights Amendment - the lack of
throughout my career another piece of advice
a Constitutional guarantee for equality on the Thank you Justice Ginsburg for your
she offered that day. She told us she believed
basis of sex, and the lack of meaningful repro- life’s work, which helped make our
dwelling in anger in the face of injustice was
ductive freedom for poor women and women careers possible. Your generosity of spirit
a “waste of energy” telling us that she coped
of color. For me, Justice Ginsburg’s history, life and the time you gave to the fellows will
with the hostility to her as an advocate for
and legacy isn’t about the past, and it isn’t just
women’s rights by being the best lawyer she stay with us always. We are honored to
about dissenting, it is about understanding our
could be. stand on your small but mighty shoulders
history but always looking forward to making
justice and equality under the law meaningful
and vow to continue the fight.
Her last comments to us during that meeting
are also seared into my mind, especially now. and real, for all of us.
Towards the end, I asked her what she thought
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Michelle X. Liu (US 2018-2019) are today. In many countries, women and girls and defend the person of his wife,” including
are prohibited from pursuing an education; disposing of her property at his will—violated
“Don’t worry,” said Jill, “if you have the baby from owning, managing, or inheriting property; the country’s constitutional guarantee of
early, you can join us for tea next year.” The from making decisions relating to their sexual equality for women. If this spousal dynamic
Director tried to assure 8-months pregnant and reproductive health; from being an equal seems shockingly archaic, bear in mind that a
me that, no matter what, I would not miss the partner in marriage or from seeking divorce; husband’s right to marital power over his wife’s
annual capstone event of the Women’s Law & and from accessing justice as survivors of property was the law of the land in Louisiana
Public Policy Fellowship Program—a private sexual abuse, just to name a few. These legal as late as 1980.
tea party and conversation with Justice Ruth restrictions relegate women and girls to second
Bader Ginsburg at the Supreme Court. My class citizens based on their sex and subjugate These legal changes are only a few examples
due date loomed dangerously close to the date their position in society such that they become of the work being done by women’s rights
of the RBG tea. But, not to be outdone by his dependent on others for the realization of their advocates around the world to remove
older brother who had met Hillary Clinton fundamental rights. systemic barriers for women and girls in
while in utero back in 2016, my son Max claiming their rights to equality and non-
waited obediently to make his debut to the But some of these laws are changing. discrimination, health, life, and dignity, among
world two days after our tea with RBG. Mine others. Only by removing these barriers can
was the last fellowship class to enjoy such a In 2018, Ireland—a country where over three- women and girls around the world become
privilege. quarters of its citizenry is Catholic—amended equal and truly “independent.”
its Constitution to remove the constitutional
Much of the impetus behind my work in recognition of a fetal right to life and to allow “Real change, enduring change, happens
advocating for international women’s hu- legislators to legalize abortion. Similarly, the one step at a time,” said the late Justice.
man rights can be summed up in the spirit Parliament of Malawi in the coming months As a trailblazer for women’s equality in the
of Justice Ginsburg’s mother’s advice to her: is set to debate the repeal of its 150-year-old United States, Justice Ginsburg also became
“Be independent.” Around the world, many law that criminalizes abortion in nearly every an icon for women’s rights advocates globally.
women and girls are socially, economically, circumstance. Just last year, the High Court The realization of women’s human rights is
and legally dependent on men—much like of Eswatini (a country in Southern Africa) work that takes commitment, collaboration,
many women in the United States were just ruled that the common law doctrine of marital and time. And, on her shoulders, the work
a few generations ago and, in some ways, still power—“the right of the husband to rule over continues.
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Christine Webber (US 1993-1994) able to participate in the public visitation at what she worked for and achieved is now at
the Supreme Court last week. Her memory risk. But it’s our fight now, and that is what she
I so appreciated Justice Souter’s remembrance, will be an inspiration and blessing to millions, would want us to do. We should fight so that
which noted that Justice Ginsburg was one of but I will borrow a variation on that seen on her legacy continues to live in the work we do.
the greats before she ever joined the Supreme Twitter: May her memory be a revolution. RBG, may your soul rest in a supreme power!!
Court. It was the sort of litigation she did
with the ACLU Women’s Rights Project that
defined what I wanted to do when I went to Jamesina King (LAWA 2001-2002) Mirabelle Chi-Okezie (LAWA 2016-2017)
law school. So when my fellowship began
I want to express my condolences to the Adieu to a trailblazing champion of women’s
with a welcome lunch featuring Justice
WLPPFP family for the loss of one of our rights! Thank you Ruth Bader Ginsburg for
Ginsburg as keynote, I was over the moon.
greatest mentors. I will remember her as helping to propel women’s rights to the fore-
While I didn’t get to talk to her then, I was
a fighter and a very humane person who front of political agendas, bringing attention
thrilled again years later to have the chance
knew what it meant to give of her very best to why gender equality across all industries is
to join a tea with the Fellows, and ask her a
to effect change and transformation in her key. You are a powerful example of a woman
question.
generation. The last time I saw her was when who lived her beliefs and wasn’t afraid to voice
I asked her to name her favorite opinion, and I attended the 2013 celebrations organized them. Your actions and values have produced
favorite dissent, thinking loudly the whole by the Fellowship and again I was inspired by generations of fearless women who will honour
time “VMI, it has to be VMI; and Ledbetter, or her speech and just marveled at her splendid your memory by continuing your life’s work –
maybe Shelby County, no, say Ledbetter.” Her career achievements and service to humanity. fighting for justice and gender equality. Person-
answer was indeed VMI and Ledbetter. The Well she is a life worth celebrating and I am ally, as a working mom, I will most especially
VMI decision practically adopted the ERA very honoured and very grateful to have met remember you for your shining example of
by proper reading of the 14th Amendment. her. May she rest in peace. work-life balance. Your legacy will live on in
Few justices get to accomplish something so the countless women you inspired!
consequential – especially sweet as it was Jen Caballero (US 2012-2013)
the fitting conclusion of the line of cases she
started her career by litigating. I am person- I still can’t quite wrap my head around the
ally attached to Ledbetter, a case in which I’d fact that she is no longer with us, or the
written an amicus brief, because it’s so central abundance of who she was and what she
to my work in employment law. Bad decisions gave while she was here. I have never been Kaboneke Zaamu (LAWA 2010-2011)
and powerful dissents have inspired legislative so certain that I was among the truly unique You cannot believe the gap left by
changes before, but rarely so swiftly and thor- when she walked into that room for our tea,
this death of an icon. We shall always
oughly as with the passage of the Ledbetter and I have cherished the presence of mind she
remember with unbound fondness.
Fair Pay Act. Would that all her dissents draw shared for all my days since. I actually have
an equally prompt correction. *so much* RBG schwag it incites affectionate
chiding from friends of mine. I truly, and sadly,
In the week following her death, I noticed look forward to mourning and lifting up her
that many of my friends had changed their greatness with the WLPPFP community. Beatrice Akua Duncan
Facebook profile pictures to be a picture (LAWA 1992-1993)
of Justice Ginsburg. But what particularly
Yamrot Henok (LAWA 2014-2015) I learned many things from Justice
delighted me is that they had mostly chosen
different pictures of her (personally I went
Ginsburg. The greatest of all is that it is
For so many of us RBG was an inspiration and possible to be small in stature, humble
with a picture of her from her ACLU days,
a real-life superhero. I am forever grateful for and unassuming and yet achieve great
as I will always be a litigator at heart), so
her selfless dedication to women’s rights and heights and impact your world in a
for a short while at least, my FB feed was
social justice. It is sad that she has died after a
enough, because there were nine, nine RBGs magnificent way.
long and good life dedicated to women’s rights
(#whentherarenine). It was a privilege to be
and social justice, and tragic that so much of
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Emilia Nuiselie Lobti (LAWA 2008-2009) responsibility of being Women’s Law & Public collaborate. I still feel that way today. The
Policy Fellows — of being lawyers — in our work by noted alums from this program
On arriving in the United States in 2008 evolving society. I can hardly yet reflect upon continues to influence my thinking and work,
for the Leadership & Advocacy for Women the enormity of this loss, or the possibility for and I am lucky to consider so many of them
in Africa Fellowship, Justice Ruth Bader personal and professional self-determination dear friends.
Ginsburg was one of the personalities the I owe to Justice Ginsburg. I do, however, feel
Executive Director of the program wanted the both humbled as an inheritor of her legacy and
Fellows to interact with at all cost. The tea galvanized to “fight for the things that [I] care
with the Justice was necessary and served as a about, but do it in a way that will lead others
valid introduction of the main purpose of the to join [me].”
program, and motivation for the LAWAs. I per-
sonally admired her profound personality, her
calmness, and valuable advice which I took Beverly Mumbo (LAWA 2019-2020)
seriously during my stay in the program. It was
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the cham-
a privilege for me to study one of her landmark
pion of advocacy for women’s rights. Prior to
decided cases, United States v. Virginia, which
joining Georgetown my knowledge and appre-
I applied in most of my analyses and briefs on
ciation for RBG was limited. However, after
the international protection of women’s rights.
attending her lecture on October 30th 2019 at
She is my role model in contemporary gender
Georgetown Hart Auditorium, and hearing her
equality struggles. She is gone, but her legacy
speak, I was drawn to her brilliance and pas-
will be remembered forever.
sion for women’s rights. I have gone on to read
about her and have been greatly inspired to
Prudence Mutiso (LAWA 2017-2018) continue in the fight for equality. The strides
and opportunity she created for women is
I do recall a particular event when GULC comparable to no other.
hosted her to discuss My Own Words with her
official biographers, Professors Mary Hartnett She also demonstrated that you need not come
and Wendy Williams. She beamed with pride from a notable background to make change in
discussing gender equality, particularly the society. Anybody can be the necessary change
case of United States v. Virginia. As a lawyer if they are passionate and work hard to achieve
working to advance gender equality in Kenya, their goals. This is extremely encouraging to Christine Webber (US 1993-1994)
the issues she litigated on remain present day young girls. The women’s rights movement and This is me with my RBG dissents
challenges here. I continue to draw inspiration the world has lost an icon. We only hope that blanket. The picture is made from the
from her work as a litigator and a Supreme we can fill her shoes. Shine on your way, RBG! text of her dissents in Epic Systems,
Court Justice. As I re-read My Own Words, I Hobby Lobby, Ledbetter, Masterpiece
am still in awe and I know her work SHALL
Margaret Johnson (US 1995-1996) Cake, and Shelby County.
continue.
I am so grateful for her support of the
Monica Bhattacharya (US 2015-2016) WLPPFP program. When I was accepted
into the Fellowship I was so happy because
Our tea with Justice Ginsburg will forever I felt that others saw me, really for the first
be one of my most cherished memories. She time, as someone who could contribute in the
was warm, gracious, and contemplative as area of gender justice and that I was given
we discussed the role of her now-notorious a wonderful opportunity to be surrounded
dissents and the unique privilege and by like people from whom I could learn and
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So thank you to Justice Ginsburg for helping Due to the pandemic, we also missed having LAWA Ghana mourns with people in the
to create and support this path so we can have tea with Justice Ginsburg this Spring. As a United States of America the passing away
this amazing community and do this work. I highlight of the program, I’d been bragging of a formidable jurist who fought to promote
was grateful to serve as co-alumni director for about this opportunity to anyone who would the rights of women in her country and in
WLPPFP in the 90s with Johanna Bond. In listen to me talk about WLPPFP in the the world. As students of the Leadership &
that role we served to help organize the 25th months preceding. Once it was clear that Advocacy for Women in Africa Fellowship,
Anniversary Celebration of WLPPFP and it wasn’t going to happen this year, we held who studied at the Georgetown University
Justice Ginsburg was our Keynote speaker. My onto the hope that Jill would allow us to join Law Center in the 1990s and early 2000s, we
mom, who was around the same age as Justice the 2020-2021 cohort when they had the were attracted to her judgements in which she
Ginsburg, attended the celebration with me. opportunity to meet Justice Ginsburg. pushed to promote the rights of women. May
At the end of the evening, Wendy Williams, She Rest in Peace.
Judy Lichtman, and Marcia Greenberger made In a year of COVID-19, racial injustice, and
sure that my mom and I got to meet Justice an economic crisis, the passing of Justice
Ginsburg. I remember my mom wanted to tell Ginsburg is amongst the most profound
her thank you because my mom, as an early losses of 2020. In addition to the massive
feminist psychologist, faced a lot of barriers implications for our democracy, her death Elizabeth Atemnkeng
and appreciated so much what RBG had done. also highlights some of the smaller and more (LAWA 2008-2009)
personal losses that we’ve experienced over
the past six months. While we won’t get to We thank God for the opportunity,
Twasiima P. Bigirwa (LAWA 2019-2020) enjoy tea with her or celebrate our graduates moments, and rich experiences Justice
in the usual way or guarantee that we’ll ever Ginsburg shared with us LAWAs. Her
I did not have the pleasure of meeting the
all be in the same place again at once, I feel departure has created a big vacuum
Great RBG in person as previous fellows did.
such gratitude for my fellow Fellows. We built that will be hard to fill. She was a great
We had imagined that we would have another
a beautiful family and even in the most trying inspiration and a mother to us all. Adieu
time, perhaps as alumnae to sit with her after
times, we found ways to connect and support Justice.
the pandemic was over and she was fully back
each other throughout.
on her feet. However, I remember hearing
her speak during her last visit to Georgetown This is a huge, devastating blow for all of
Law, accompanied by Hillary and Bill Clinton us. But after spending a year in community
last fall and being amazed that she was still so with some of the most resilient, kind, and
willing to fight for what she believed in. She intelligent advocates for gender justice, I am
was inspirational in so many ways, not only encouraged. Just as committed as Justice
because she set the bar so high, but because Ginsburg was to equality, I know a whole gang
she accepted her flaws, apologized when of women who are just as committed in their
she realized her mistakes and asked us all to own ways. We have big shoes to fill, but I am
believe that we can indeed live in a more just confident that WLPPFP alumnae—a group
and equitable world. that now includes my cohort—will step in
and step up. We have no other choice and no
Desiree Luckey (US 2019-2020) better way to honor her legacy.
Being a 2019-2020 WLPPFP Fellow was truly
Regina Mutyaba (LAWA 1993-1994)
an adventure. Transitioning from in-person
meetings to Zoom calls, the uncertainty of The loss of Lady Justice Ginsburg has left
our employment prospects, and the delayed a permanent dent on our hearts. She was
commencement ceremony that robbed our admired by many people especially women.
LAWAs of their well-earned celebration She will be greatly missed by many of us.
distinguish our cohort from any other in
WLPPFP history.
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Meet our 2020-2021 Fellows
WLPPFP is delighted to welcome (virtually!) our two LAWA
Fellows and seven US Fellows.
The National Women’s she visited the Dilley Family Detention Center
Law Center welcomes to help women and children asylum seekers
Sabrina Bernadel as prepare for credible fear interviews. She was
their Equal Justice Works also a Student Attorney in the International
Fellow. Sabrina is deeply Women’s Human Rights Clinic where she
invested in transforming undertook a fact-finding trip and co-authored a
the ways in which our human rights report on legalizing abortion in
education systems support young people—par- Malawi. Asees will spend her fellowship year
ticularly Black girls, and those who are at the National Partnership for Women in
disproportionately adultified and marginalized Families, working with the Reproductive
by academic institutions. As COVID-19 Rights Group as a step towards a career in
forces schools to reassess what is “essential” public policy and impact litigation for
for learning, Sabrina’s fellowship year will be international women’s rights.
dedicated to challenging schools to divert
Prior to becoming a
resources away from criminalization, and
LAWA fellow, Heather
toward student socio-emotional supports.
Chidarara practiced for
Sabrina has demonstrated her commitment to
over ten years as a
improving the lives of young people through
human rights lawyer and
her work at the Health Justice Alliance at
women’s rights advocate
Georgetown University Law Center, where she
in South Africa and
is 2020 graduate. She has also held intern-
Zimbabwe. There, she has litigated on behalf
ships at Advocates for Children of New York
of women seeking access to housing and
and the U.S. and New York Departments of
equitable distribution of assets in family law
Education. Sabrina will use the skills and
proceedings. Driven by a desire to realize
insights gained from these positions to make
economic justice and challenge the ways in
schools safer for girls.
which patriarchal norms marginalize women in
Asees Bhasin’s her community, Heather has advanced
experience in gender women’s rights in her representation of women
justice is cross-cultural in custody, domestic violence, and divorce
and firmly rooted in civil cases. Heather earned her Bachelor of Laws in
and human rights law. 2010 from the University of Fort Hare in East
She has previously London, South Africa. Her LAWA research
monitored trials at a rape will help deepen her understanding of South
court in New Delhi, and has researched African housing law in order to develop
Canadian sexual assault laws at King’s College strategies for actualizing women’s housing
London. During her last winter break at rights.
Georgetown University Law Center (where
she obtained a joint J.D. and L.L.B. in 2020)
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The Georgetown strategies for eliminating childhood incarcera-
International Women’s tion and building pathways for women’s
Human Rights Clinic is political and workforce participation in
delighted to welcome Ethiopia.
Catherine Cooper as
the 2020 Clinical Kathryn Menefee, a
Teaching Fellow. Since 2020 Georgetown
graduating from Harvard Law School in 2014, graduate, joins the
Catherine has worked tirelessly to advocate for National Women’s Law
human rights and gender justice. As a fellow Center’s Income Security
with the Africa Section of the Center for team this year, where she
Reproductive Rights, she supported domestic will work to reduce
litigation and advocacy with U.N. and regional gender and racial inequalities in the federal tax
mechanisms to advance women’s rights. code. A firm believer in the potential for tax
Catherine later worked as an international justice to further racial and gender justice,
legal advisor at Justice Base in Myanmar on Kathryn plans to increase public literacy and
the rights of women and ethnic minorities, interest surrounding the tax code with the goal
including access to citizenship. Before joining of dismantling some of its discriminatory
the Clinic, she served as counsel at the Public underpinnings. She looks forward to mobiliz-
International Law and Policy Group, providing ing her experience at Negotiation Works and
technical assistance to civil society organiza- the Human Rights Campaign toward strength-
tions in East Africa and Myanmar. ening community support of—and engage-
ment in—issues relating to women and tax
Rehim Baharu Elala is justice issues. She will also draw on her
a human rights attorney experience at the Equal Employment
and women’s rights Opportunity Commission and the Department
advocate based in of the Interior’s Office of Civil Rights to
Ethiopia. Before bolster support for tax equity issues with
obtaining his law degree Congress and the Administration, and to
from the University of advance state and federal tax policy proposals
Gondar in 2011, he was already dedicated to that will reduce economic disparities.
challenging local norms surrounding men’s
involvement (or lack thereof) in feminist Malorie Palmer joins
organizing. First advocating for gender equality Aequitas, where she will
at his school’s legal aid office, Rehim went on be working to improve
to assist in landmark cases that established access to justice in
more equitable approaches in divorce gender-based violence
proceedings in Ethiopia. His commitment to and human trafficking
improving Ethiopia’s legal and cultural cases. Malorie is driven
protections for women and children continues by a fierce commitment to preventing and
today. In addition to litigating cases on behalf prosecuting sex crimes. Graduating with a
of survivors in his community, Rehim’s role at joint J.D./M.S.W. (Masters in Social Work)
the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission from Indiana University’s McKinney School of
involves monitoring the living conditions of Law in 2020, Malorie has already approached
children forced to live in prison with their this issue from multiple legal vantage points.
incarcerated mothers. This experience will Whether seeking civil protection orders at
inform his research during the LAWA Indiana Legal Services, or convictions on
Fellowship, which will focus on potential behalf of survivors of gender-based violence at
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Women’s Law & Public Policy Fellowship Program at Georgetown Law FALL | WINTER 2020 - 2021
11
Indiana Prosecuting Attorney’s Council, removal of Estonian children from mothers
Malorie draws on her M.S.W. to deliver more with chemical dependencies. As part of her
than legal outcomes. She connects her clients work for the clinic, she submitted a report to
to the care and services they need in order to the U.N. about these human rights violations.
access meaningful relief. Her fellowship year Recommendations she helped to draft were
will be spent refining her skills as an advocate later adopted by the Committee on Economic,
for survivors, and learning from others in the Social and Cultural Rights. Domestically,
field in order to effectively reduce gender- Gabrielle has interned at the Center for
based violence. Reproductive Rights, centering her work on
reducing racialized disparities in maternal
The Georgetown healthcare access. She looks forward to using
Domestic Violence her fellowship year to deepen her understand-
Clinic is proud to
welcome Shanta
Trivedi as their 2020
ing of how to effectively combat institutional-
ized racism and sexism from an intersectional Advisory
Board
legal framework.
Clinical Teaching Fellow.
Shanta comes to
Georgetown after years of representing clients
in custody, divorce, and domestic violence
Deborah Epstein
proceedings. A 2008 graduate from Boston
University School of Law, Shanta’s career is Director of the Domestic Violence Clinic
driven by a commitment to building pathways In Memoriam and Professor of Law, Georgetown
to justice for women. Her work at the University Law Center
Brooklyn Defender Service and Sanctuary for The Fellowship mourns the loss of
Marcia Greenberger
Families led her to write about the violence of Maeve McKean (US 2009-2010),
family separation and gender-bias in the who passed in a tragic accident in Co-President Emerita, National Women’s
American judicial system. In her previous Law Center
April, along with her beloved son
position as teaching fellow at the University of
Gideon. Maeve had recently returned Mary Hartnett
Baltimore, Shanta supervised students
representing clients in family law proceedings, to Georgetown as the Executive
WLPPFP Director Emerita and Adjunct
and wrote prolifically on the topics of family Director of the Georgetown University Professor of Law, Georgetown University
separation and women’s rights. Shanta plans to Global Health Initiative and was Law Center
dedicate her fellowship year to furthering her excited to collaborate with the
path into feminist academia and mentorship. Eleanor Holmes Norton
Fellowship Program. Her warmth and
sparkling personality will be sorely Congresswoman for the District of
The Washington Lawyers
Columbia and Professor of Law,
Committee for Civil missed.
Georgetown University Law Center
Rights and Urban Affairs
welcomes Gabrielle Judith Lichtman
Wynn as this year’s
Small, Webber, Spencer Senior Advisor, National Partnership for
Fellow. Gabrielle Women & Families
obtained her J.D. at the University of Miami in
Wendy Williams
2020, where her participation in the Human
Rights Clinic led her to Estonia. There, she Professor Emerita, Georgetown University
researched and advocated against the forced Law Center
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at Georgetown Law
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