By: Tracey L. Schroeder
On June 27, the WBAI hosted its 110th Annual Installation Dinner & Awards Gala celebrating incoming WBAI President Sarah F. King and the 2024-2025 Board of Directors. The event was held at the historic Palmer House Hilton against the beautiful backdrop of the hotel’s two-story gilded lobby, velvet seating and ceiling mural depicting Greek mythology.
The evening celebrated women in law alongside judges, lawyers, and local leaders. Attendees enjoyed dinner, an inspiring program, and incredible networking.
With more than 75 judges in attendance, we heard from some powerful women on the bench, including Justices Joy V. Cunningham, Mary K. O’Brien and Elizabeth M. Rochford, who also swore in the 2024-2025 WBAI President, Officers and Directors. Loretta Durbin gave remarks as did Bob Clifford, celebrating the accomplishments of the WBAI and its continued success under Sarah’s leadership.
Service Awards, which honor distinguished WBAI members for exemplary achievement through outstanding performance, were also presented. Congratulations to Chandler Caswell, América A. Guzmán, Blaire Theuerkauf, and Erin M. Wilson and many thanks to them for their outstanding commitment and work for the WBAI.
The event also honored Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton with the WBAI Woman With Vision Award, which pays tribute to women who have demonstrated visionary approaches in their professional endeavors and who have made an indelible contribution to the well-being and empowerment of women. Lt. Governor Stratton gave a powerful and moving speech, closing with this quote from Maya Angelou, “My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who and how you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness.”
Congratulations to our honorees, WBAI Board President Sarah F. King and the 2024-2025 Board!
This article was originally published in the WBAI Fall 2024 Newsletter on page 49.