Ensuring more opportunities for women to succeed is vital to our company, and at ARAG we’re honored to feature the following attorneys who work to empower women through their leadership, commitment and example. We’re thankful to have these women serving on our network -- and feel it’s important to highlight their meaningful and inspirational contributions to our society and the legal industry.
What is your mantra or favorite inspirational quote?
"Service Above Self." This motto is from Rotary International. I am President-Elect of my local Rotary Club and this motto epitomizes what I believe in. As a lawyer, I like to think about what I can give to my clients and to others in my community, as opposed to what I can take.
How are you are working to elevate women in your community, either personally or professionally?
My firm is woman-run and all of my employees are women. I also always look for ways to collaborate or promote women-owned businesses. I mentor young women who are interested in the legal field, these women are either students in high school, college, or in law school...trying to do my part to bring about diversity in our industry!
What is your mantra or favorite inspirational quote?
“We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” -Maya Angelou
How are you are working to elevate women in your community, either personally or professionally?
We are all working towards the common goal of empowering women in our community. Professionally, I represent women in estate proceedings, who have lost their spouse or their child and need guidance on navigating the court system. I let them know that I have been in their position, and we will tackle the issues one step at a time. Many women think they are incapable, either because they have never given it effort, or were told they weren’t good enough. I give them the confidence that they can get through it and rebuild their life.
Personally, I have 3 young children, 2 of whom are girls. I am sure to teach them that everyone deserves the same respect, opportunity, and kindness, regardless of their gender (or age, or race). It is so important to not only teach our girls these virtues, but to teach the boys that as well. This is how we will truly make a change in the next generation, and hopefully continue to empower women! When I was a child and asked for things, my father would say I had expensive tastes, and “You better marry a doctor or a lawyer.” Now I tell my kids “You better BECOME a doctor or a lawyer.”
What is your mantra or favorite inspirational quote?
“She believed she could, so she did.”
How are you are working to elevate women in your community, either personally or professionally?
I mentor young women who have an interest in the law who come from abusive backgrounds. Prior to COVID-19 pandemic, I would allow these young ladies to intern in my office and they would attend court hearings and mediations to see how the legal system really operates.
What is your mantra or favorite inspirational quote?
My mantra is this, “Here’s to strong Women – may we know them – may we be them – may we raise them.” I like this mantra because I feel that strong women are everywhere, but we all have to support each other to become a strong woman because it is a journey that takes time to refine and become our second skin to blend with the nature of who we truly are every day.
Some of my favorite quotes include, “Behind every successful woman is a tribe of other successful women, who have her back.” And this one from Ruth Bader Ginsburg: “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made…it shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”
How are you are working to elevate women in your community, either personally or professionally?
I am working to elevate women in my community in a variety of ways. My staff consists of all women and their titles are Case Managers instead of the traditional “secretary” or “administrative assistant”. I believe some titles create boundaries and cause others a lower disregard for their abilities when the reality is that my case manager actually manages the cases with me. A title shouldn’t matter in today’s society, but it appears that is not the case for many.
For many years and prior to the pandemic, I have offered options for flexible work schedules, work from home options, and supportive attitudes for mother’s that balance the challenge of work and family. I promote women that can balance all aspects of life because I personally know how hard it is to work full time and raise a family. I believe that if we support each other, then we call can raise our bar at work and at home by working together.
I have co-sponsored a Women’s Leadership Group for women business owners in my region for the purpose of supporting women in business, sharing ideas with each other, and referring our clients to strong women associates that have similar business models and goals. Our group consists of various businesses such as law office, insurance, financial planning, realtor, esthetician, etc. At this time, every business owner that maintains a staff also has a full staff of women.
On a personal level, I have 2 daughters and 1 son. My goal has always been to be a strong role model, and to teach my daughters to use their voice, break barriers instituted by society, and be strong women in charge of their lives. The best way for me to teach them is to continue to be a strong woman and support other women at the same time.