I grew up on a small, windswept island off the northwest coast of Ireland, in a community of less than 500 people that shaped who I am. At my tiny high school, the motto was an Irish proverb that has stayed with me ever since: Faoi scáth a chéile a mhairimid, which means “We live in each other’s shelter.” It taught me the value of community, support, and standing together, and it guides my vision for the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois in 2026–2027.

For more than a century, the WBAI has been a shelter for women lawyers: a place of mentorship, leadership, and connection. The WBAI was founded by just nine women. Though their numbers were small, they had a clear vision and recognized the need to support one another. They had the foresight to understand that they were stronger together, and that spirit became the grassroots of this organization. My hope this year is to honor those founding values and revisit the principles that made the WBAI both important and necessary.

At the WBAI, everyone deserves a seat at the table. And if the table is not yet long enough or fully representative, we must build it longer, we must build it stronger, and we must add more seats.
I realize that, for some, the WBAI may have seemed like an organization that wasn’t “a fit for them.” Truthfully, when I first moved here, that is exactly how I felt. I did not know a single person in the legal community. I was unsure where to begin and questioned whether I would belong. But I was wrong. The night I walked into my first WBAI event—nervous and alone—I discovered something incredible. I found my table. I found my community. I found mentors, allies, and lifelong friends. This organization welcomed me with open arms and an open heart. It has made all the difference in my life, and it is part of the reason I now call Chicago my home away from home.

As President, my vision is to expand the WBAI table across Illinois. Through membership-driven events, CLE programming, collar county initiatives, and our signature Cook County gatherings, I hope to strengthen our presence far beyond Cook County. My goal is to welcome new voices, support emerging leaders, and ensure the next generation of women lawyers finds a space where they are supported, empowered, and able to thrive.

My hope for this year is simple: that more women lawyers across Illinois will discover what I found here—a community to call their own, a network that lifts them up, and opportunities they never imagined. And perhaps someone will look at me and think, If she can do it, so can I.

Because when we make room for one another, when we build a longer table and lift each other higher, we live the wisdom of that Irish proverb:

Faoi scáth a chéile a mhairimid - We live in each other’s shelter.

As we embark on this year together, I invite each of you to take a seat at the WBAI table—whether it is your first time or your hundredth. Let us welcome new voices, embrace diversity, and commit to building a stronger, more inclusive organization. Together, we will ensure that the WBAI continues to be a place where every woman lawyer can find support, connection, and the opportunity to thrive.

This is our table, and there will always be room for one more.

Le Meas (With Respect & Gratitude),

President, Women’s Bar Association of Illinois