SEPTEMBER 2024 | 7 THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL Women in Law Reflections on Leading the Way By Melissa DeLacerda IN 2003, WE PUBLISHED THE BOOK Leading the Way: A Look at Oklahoma’s Pioneering Women Lawyers. At the time that book was published, only two women had served as OBA presidents (the first, not until 1996), and two women had been members of the Oklahoma Supreme Court throughout the OBA’s history. Now, a little more than 20 years later, we have had six additional OBA presidents who are women. For the first time, the number of female law school students is equal to, or more than, the number of male students enrolled, and the number of women lawyers who are associates in large firms is equal to the number of male associates. The exponential growth of women in the legal field in the past century is a remarkable accomplishment. The notable women attorneys featured in this issue broke barriers, gained the respect of their male counterparts and clients and highlighted the importance of diverse perspectives in the legal field. It is important that we continue the momentum, expanding the roles women hold in the legal field, allowing today’s women lawyers to continue carrying the torch that the women before us held. We dedicate this month’s publication to Oklahoma’s pioneering women lawyers. This issue of the Oklahoma Bar Journal serves to remind us, to inspire us and to honor those notable women who tread bravely into a world where a path for them – and others – didn’t yet exist. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Melissa DeLacerda is an OBA past president (2003) and the current chair of the Oklahoma Bar Journal Board of Editors. Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff. The 2024 Golden Gavel Award was presented to the Oklahoma Bar Journal Board of Editors at the Annual Meeting in July. Accepting the award from President Miles Pringle was Chairperson Melissa DeLacerda of Stillwater along with associate editors Evan Taylor of Norman and Norma Cossio of Enid. The award is presented annually to the outstanding OBA committee or group.
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