By: Whitney K. Siehl
The WBAI’s Women Who Walk on Wednesdays Walking Club was started after the 2023 Race Judicata event supporting Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, where our largest ever team had a great time running, walking, celebrating, and bonding over our Crowd Favorite Barbie shirt design and amazing balloon arch created by co-chair Kim Brancato. Harnessing the energy of the event and the joy of movement while networking, the group began meeting on the second Wednesday of each month. On nice days in the late fall, spring, and summer, WBAI’s Walking Club walks along the riverwalk and often stops at the Northman for a bite or a cold drink. In the colder winter months, WBAI Walkers kept the momentum by walking through the expansive halls of the Merchandise Mart. One of the best attended walks was indoors on a cold day in January, to kick off the new year with activity. WBAI collaborated on a joint walk this year with CBA’s Young Lawyers Section (“YLS”) and enjoyed networking among the organizations.
I enjoy welcoming new members to the WBAI through our Walking Club. It is nice to break away from the office and stay active with other lawyers in the community and the small groups allow for great conversation. Our discussions range from upcoming WBAI events to navigating the legal job market, salary negotiations, interviewing, handling a difficult opposing counsel, among others. I am most proud that everyone who has attended WBAI’s Women Who Walk on Wednesdays thus far has attended another WBAI event! It is wonderful to see WBAI’s Walking Club continue and grow under co-chair América Guzmán’s leadership. We hope to see you at a future walk!
This article was originally published in the WBAI Spring 2025 Newsletter on page 56.