VBA Recognizes Virginia Women Attorneys Association

At the 127th Annual Meeting in Williamsburg in January the VBA, founded in 1888 as the first statewide bar association in Virginia, presented a framed resolution to the Virginia Women Attorneys Association. The resolution recognizes the VWAA's 35th anniversary as a dynamic force in the bar in Virginia.

Formed in 1981, the VWAA seeks to advance the interests of female attorneys, encourage their mutual improvement and social interaction and promote the interests of women under law.

The resolution, in part, says, "The Virginia Bar Association, by action of its Board of Governors, wishes to recognize the good works and the critical role of the VWAA in advancing both the interests of women and the highest objectives of the practicing bar."

James Patrick Guy II, VBA president for 2016, invited VBA member Joan McKenna, who served as a past president of the Richmond chapter of the Virginia Women Attorneys Association, on stage for the presentation.

"Joan, we could not be more proud of your organization and your members and the work that you all do for Virginia," Guy said. "I hope you'll share this with your members and just tell them how much we are impressed with your organization."

The full text of the resolution follows.

THE VIRGINIA BAR ASSOCIATION
RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION FOR
AND COMMENDATION OF THE
VIRGINIA WOMEN ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION

WHEREAS, The mission of The Virginia Women Attorneys Association (the “VWAA’) is to assist women attorneys in developing their professional practice and in achieving their potential, to bring about changes in the law and to affect public policy for the benefit of the women of the Commonwealth of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, The VWAA was formed in 1981 to advance the interests of women attorneys in Virginia, to encourage their mutual improvement and social interaction, and to promote the interests of women under law, and the VWAA is therefore celebrating the 35th anniversary of its founding; and

WHEREAS, The VWAA remains the only statewide bar association dedicated primarily to the needs of women attorneys in Virginia as professionals and as women; and

WHEREAS, The Virginia Bar Association, by action of its Board of Governors, wishes to recognize the good works and the critical role of the VWAA in advancing both the interests of women and the highest objectives of the practicing bar; therefore be it

RESOLVED: That The Virginia Bar Association offers its deepest appreciation to and commends the Virginia Women Attorneys Association for its extraordinary contributions to the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Virginia and to the causes of justice and equity in the administration of the law; and further be it

RESOLVED: That The Virginia Bar Association expresses its heartfelt gratitude and respect to the Virginia Women Attorneys Association for its tireless labor and devotion to the interests of women who serve as lawyers and judges, women as legislators, women as administrators of our courts and government institutions, and women as citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia; and further be it

RESOLVED: That The Virginia Bar Association congratulates the Virginia Women Attorneys Association on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of its founding, and heartily joins in celebrating all of the good works of the VWAA!

WITNESS, this 22nd day of October, 2016.

Signed by 2016 President James Patrick Guy II and 2016 Chair of the Board of Governors C.J. Steuart Thomas III.