Western New York Women Pioneers in the Law

[Here’s another event sponsored by the Historical Society of the New York Courts.]

Western New York Women Pioneers in the Law: A Celebration.  Presented by The Historical Society of the N.Y. Courts, SUNY Buffalo Law School, & Phillips Lytle LLP.  Thursday, November 5, 2015, 5:30-7:00 PM,SUNY Buffalo Law School, UB North Campus, John Lord O'Brian Hall, Rm. 106, Buffalo, NY 14260.

Post-Program Reception - Open to Everyone! Join us at the reception proceeding the program where you'll be able to mingle with program participants and invited guests. This reception is free and open to everyone.

Introductory remarks by Hon. Eugene F. Pigott, Jr., Associate Judge N.Y. Court of Appeals, Hon. Paula L. Feroleto, Administrative Judge, 8th Judicial District and James A. Gardner, Interim Dean, SUNY Buffalo Law School.

This program, moderated by Hon. Albert M. Rosenblatt (former Associate Judge NY Court of Appeals and President, The Historical Society of the New York Courts) will look at the contributions of women from western New York to our legal heritage and will highlight:

Belva Lockwood, 1915 (LC)

Belva B. Lockwood, First woman admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. Presented by Hon. Erin M. Peradotto, Associate Justice, Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department.

Kate Stoneman, First woman admitted to practice in New York. Presented by Michelle Henry, County Historian, Chautauqua County.

Helen Z.M. Rodgers, First woman graduate of Buffalo Law School. Presented by Bernadette Gargano, Lecturer in Law, Legal Analysis, Writing and Research, SUNY Buffalo Law School.

Charlotte Smallwood-Cook, First woman District Attorney in New York (Wyoming County, 1950-1953). Presented by Michael B. Powers, Clarence Town Justice, Partner at Phillips Lytle LLP.

Shirley St. Hill Chisholm, First African-American woman elected to the U.S. Congress (NY 12th District, 1969-1983). Presented by Brian Higgins, United States Congressman, 26th Congressional District of N.Y.

Women Attorney Trailblazers in New York State Exhibit.  You are invited to visit the display which will be set up nearby.  A display created by the NYS Bar Association’s Committee on Women in the Law will be available for viewing the evening of the program. This exhibit highlights 10 women lawyers who made significant contributions in the legal profession, after overcoming gender barriers and, in some cases, racial discrimination, paving the way for generations of women attorneys to come.