My friend, and colleague, Udoka Nwanna, was filmed in 2011 for NBC speaking on Black History Month. She was quoted as saying, “I think that if we just start, not necessarily looking back in history on the successful African Americans, but actually looking towards the future and how can we progress together, how can we acknowledge those in our community now who are doing things?”
That resonated with me and shaped this week’s President’s Message as I recognize two inspirational Black women legal leaders in San Diego who will be inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame in March.
Genevieve Jones-Wright will be honored as an Activist – as a former public defender and now inaugural executive director of Community Advocates for Just and Moral Governance and President of Earl B. Gillam Bar Association, Genevieve also gives her time to volunteering with California Innocence Project and serves on the City of San Diego’s Commission on Gang Prevention and Intervention. She is an adjunct professor at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is also the Founder of Motivation.In.Action, empowering individuals to “write their own stories” and live on purpose.
I love this quote about her: “Every day she works to dismantle our criminal legal system, as it now exists, to achieve a more just and equitable system for all.”
Judge Randa Trapp will be honored as a Trailblazer – after almost 20 years as a lawyer, then almost 20 years as a judge, Judge Trapp has left an indelible mark on San Diego through her years of service. Beginning with the U.S. Navy and including Past President of Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association, Regional Director of California Women Lawyers, Director of California Association of Black Lawyers and Lawyers Club of San Diego, officer of National Association of Women Judges and Chair of the National Bar Association Judicial Counsel, and five-year President of the J. Clifford Wallace Inn of Court. Judge Trapp inspired high school students each year in the NAWJ MentorJet program by sharing her pathway to the Bench.
I had the honor of writing about Judge Trapp for the NAWJ’s CounterBalance magazine and was inspired by her statement, “I felt I had benefitted from the sacrifices of the people who marched and died for equal rights and I owed a debt to the community and wanted to help.” You have more than fulfilled that debt, Your Honor.
I also wanted to recognize the leadership of the SDCBA Intellectual Property (IP) Section Chair and Vice Chair Taneashia Morrell and Maresa Talbert who are hosting a roundtable, along with Members at Large Jeffrey Morton and Melissa Patterson, on How to Get into Intellectual Property Practice with Any Background on March 4. Countless studies and articles have been written that show the lack of women and people of color in IP and it is empowering to see them lead this conversation and help others to break into the field.
Finally, I hope to see you on Thursday for our Dialogue on Diversity: De-Weaponizing Political Diversity. It is time for us to build bridges and come together.
Yours,
Renée N.G. Stackhouse
2021 SDCBA President
Reading now: Being Brown: Sonia Sotomayor and the Latino Question by Lazaro Lima
Listening to: Say Hello to Heaven by Temple of the Dog
What are you reading or listening to? Tag us #sdlaw #sdcba