President's Letter
PROGRESS. This eight-letter word holds multiple meanings in all aspects but especially for women lawyers in South Carolina. For some, progress means the year 1918 when the first woman lawyer was admitted to practice in South Carolina. For others, it means the year 1941 when the first African-American woman lawyer was admitted to the South Carolina Bar. There is also the year 1988 when the first women were elected to the South Carolina Supreme Court, or the year 2000 when the first woman became the Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court. All of these milestones lay the groundwork for today as we commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the formation of the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association.
PROGRESS not only focuses on the accomplishments we have had as females, evidenced by history, but also the goals we set and pathways we make for the future of women, particularly as women lawyers.
PROGRESS held a different meaning pre-pandemic and holds a new meaning 4 years post-pandemic. Pre-pandemic were years marked by triumph and victory on the struggles of gender-equality, equal pay, and giving women a seat at the table. Post-pandemic, while these are all still huge concerns and battles we fight each day, we also fight an internal battle within ourselves to meet those goals and standards now that we do have seats at some of those tables.
PROGRESS will be when each of us learn to recognize and celebrate how far we have come, not only as women lawyers but also as daughters, sisters, wives, mothers, and caretakers, all while maintaining the legal profession with grace and gratitude.
PROGRESS is what SCWLA will be focusing on this coming year as we spotlight and celebrate female lawyers across the state, honor them with well-deserved awards and hear them speak their messages loud and clear at the conference we are planning for the fall of 2024.
I so look forward to the honor of serving as the SCWLA President for 2024. My feet are too small to fill the shoes of the prior Presidents, but I will aspire to honor and continue the pace of the PROGRESS they have achieved while guiding the organization and its next generation of members towards a prosperous future.
Sincerely,
Bhumi Patel