Jean Galloway Bissell Award
Download Award Application
Deadline: June 1
Jean Galloway Bissell (1936-1990) was a trailblazer who paved the way for SC women lawyers in multiple fields. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from USC in 1956 and graduated magna cum laude, first in her USC School of Law Class in 1958, where she was also Associate Editor and Business Manager of the South Carolina Law Review.
She started her career in private practice with the firm of Haynsworth, Perry, with another SC pioneer, Miss Jim Perry. She taught trusts and estates at the USC School of Law, became General Counsel of the South Carolina National Bank and was promoted to Executive Vice President and Vice-Chairwoman of SCN's Board. At that time, she was the highest-ranking female executive among the 100 largest bank holding companies in America. In 1984, she became the first female South Carolina lawyer in a federal judgeship when she was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In addition to the success she experienced in her remarkable career, Judge Bissell supported numerous civic and educational organizations.
The South Carolina Women Lawyers Association is proud to honor Judge Bissell by creating its annual award in her name. SCWLA accepts nominations for the Jean Galloway Bissell Award each calendar year. The award is presented at SCWLA’s annual award reception in October. Selection criteria include the nominee's distinguished and noteworthy service to the public and the legal profession; achievement of professional excellence; and participation in activities that have paved the way to success for women lawyers on the national, state or local level.
Nominations should include specific examples of how the nominee has influenced women to pursue legal careers, opened doors for women lawyers in settings historically closed to them or advanced opportunities for women within a practice area or segment of the profession. In addition, the nomination should describe the nominee's career, excellence, and service to the bar and community. Please note that nominations may be accompanied by letters in support of the nominee.
In recent years, many nominations have been submitted along with letters of support from people able to personally attest to the nominee's history of actions which paved the way for women lawyers, illustrated their commitment to public service and their noteworthy contributions to the legal profession. You may also submit any other documentation you believe evidences why the nominee is deserving of this distinction. Any individual nominated for the Bissell Award last year will automatically be considered for this year's award. Supplemental materials in support of a nomination made last year may be submitted by the deadline for new nominations.
Award Winners
1995 - The Honorable Jean Hoefer Toal
1996 - Ellen Hines Smith
1997 - The Honorable Matthew J. Perry
1998 - Susan K. Dunn
1999 - The Honorable Carol Connor
2000 - Elizabeth Van Doren Gray
2001 - Sarah E. Leverette
2002 - The Honorable Judy C. Bridges
2003 - The Honorable Margaret B. Seymour
2004 - Sue Erwin Harper
2005 - Harriet McBryde Johnson
2006 - The Honorable Cameron McGowan Currie
2007 - The Honorable Karen J. Williams
2009 – The Honorable Sandra Day O'Connor
2010 - The Honorable Kaye G. Hearn
2011 – Martha B. Dicus
2012 - Victoria L. Eslinger
2013 - M. Elizabeth Crum
2014 - Lesley M. Coggiola
2015 - Alice F. Paylor
2016 - M. Malissa Burnette
2017 - Phyliss B. Burkhard
2018 - Marguerite S. Willis
2019 - Mary Sharp
2020 – Elaine H. Fowler
2021-2022 – The Honorable J. Michelle Childs
2023 – Pamela DeFanti Robinson
2024 - The Honorable DeAndrea Gist Benjamin