History
GRAWA had its first meeting in October 1981 when about 50 of the 150
women admitted to practice in the Rochester responded to an invitation
by Marilyn Hoffman, Sherri Wood, and then Family Court Judge Donald
Corbett, Jr.
Soon after a steering committee gave shape to the fledgling organization.
They picked a name that reflected their desire to include lawyers
from all over the area and used the word “for” to include
men: Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys. GRAWA became
official in 1983 thanks to Catherine Foerster’s bylaws. Our first
president was Trudy Nowak. GRAWA also became part of WBASNY in 1983.
GRAWA continued to grow and evolve as an organization. Recent accomplishments
included hosting the most ambitious WBASNY annual conference ever
in 1997. In keeping with Rochester’s high-tech reputation, the
theme was “Lawyers in Cyberspace,” and hands-on technology
training was provided for every interested attendee.
In addition, GRAWA raises
money for and provides speakers to women’s and children’s
organizations, reviews legislation, and advocates for changes in law
and policy to promote women and children. We write articles for bar
publications and the local media. We mentor new lawyers and fete judicial
candidates. We raise money and awareness for women’s health.
We serve on WBASNY committees and as its officers.
GRAWA is living proof of the adage: When you want something done,
ask a busy woman.
Past Presidents
| 2007-2008: Greta K. Kolcon |
|
1994-1995: Debra Martin |
| 2006-2007: Sara Stout Ashcraft |
|
1993-1994: Maureen Byrne |
| 2005-2006: Denine Carr |
|
1992-1993: June Castellano |
| 2004 - 2005: Audrey P. Peartree |
|
1991-1992: Catherine Foerster |
| 2003-2004: Elizabeth Wolford |
|
1990-1991: Diane Cecero |
| 2002-2003: Hon. Marian Payson |
|
1989-1990: Merle Troeger |
| 2001-2002: Catherine M. Callery |
|
1988-1989: Hanna S. Cohn |
| 2000-2001: Sharon P. Stiller |
|
1987-1988: Rosemary Roberts |
| 1999-2000: Eileen E. Buholtz |
|
1986-1987: Marilyn Hoffman O’Connor |
| 1998-1999: Carolyn G. Nussbaum |
|
1985-1986: Nancy Peck |
| 1997-1998: Anne Van Graafeiland |
|
1984-1985: Karen Morris |
| 1996-1997: Terry M. Richman |
|
1984-1985: Karen Morris |
| 1995-1996: Elaine Zipp Cole |
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Family Friendly Employer Award
This award recognizes a legal employer in Rochester that has distinguished
itself by establishing employment policies that enable employees to
balance their work and family commitments. Consideration for the award
was given to employers’ policies on part-time employment, flexible
work schedules, maternity/paternity leave, sick and vacation leave,
telecommuting, and partnership opportunities, where applicable.
2007: United
States District Court, Western District of New York
2005: Harter, Secrest
& Emery
2004: Faraci
& Lange LLP
2003: Boylan,
Brown, Code, Vigdor, & Wilson, LLP
2002: Public
Interest Law Office of Rochester
Hanna
S. Cohn Mentoring Award
In 2002 GRAWA established this award in honor of Hanna S. Cohn (1952-2002),
who was passionate and active about many facets of the legal system.
This award recognizes a woman who has mentored, inspired, and nurtured
young women as they enter and begin their legal professions.
| 2008:
Elizabeth Wolford |
| 2007:
Diane Cecero |
| 2006:
Honorable Karen Morris |
| 2005:
Catherine M. Callery |
| 2004: Honorable Evelyn Frazee |
| 2003: Honorable Ann E. Pfeiffer |
Directors’ Award
GRAWA’s Board of Directors bestows this award upon a person or
organization whose activities enhance the lives of women.
2008: The Laboratory of Interpersonal Violence and Victimization at
the University of Rochester Medical Center
2007: The
Women's Council of Rochester
2006: Alice Holloway Young,
Ed.D.
2005: YWCA of Rochester
and Monroe County
2004: Women's
Foundation of Genesee Valley (accepted by Rosemary Mitchell)
2003: Sojourner
House (accepted by Germaine Knapp)
2002: Wende W. Logan-Young, MD
2001: Hon. Louise Slaughter
2000: Hon. Elizabeth W. Pine
1999: Wilson Commencement Park (accepted by Jean Howard)
1998: Susan B. Anthony (awarded posthumously and accepted by Lorie
Barnum)
1997: Ginger Lamb (The Daily Record)
1996: Ellen Little (Empire State College)
1995: Sister Jamesine Rile (Main West Attorneys)
1994: Phyllis Korn (Alternatives for Battered Women)
1993: Hon. Anthony Sciolino
1992: Rona Weiner (Rochester Area Children’s Collaborative)
1991: Nan Johnson (Monroe County Legislator)
1990: Rogers Gorman (The Daily Record)
1989: Midge Marshall (producer, GRAWA Gender Bias training video)
1988: Hon. Donald Corbett
1987: Beth Ela Wilkins, Esq.
1986: Joseph G. Fritsch, Jr.
Crennel-Branch
Award
In
2004, GRAWA established the Crennel-Branch Award to honor untiring
and exemplary dedication to the organization. The Award, which is
not necessarily given annually, is for a GRAWA member who has excelled
in promoting the organization and the legal profession.
The
Award is named in honor of Rochester 's first woman attorney and first
woman judge.
Kate
K. Crennel was admitted to practice in 1897. Sadly, little is known
about her except that her name was included on the roster of admittees
to the bar in Rochester that year. We can speculate that she was hellbent,
fearless, unflappable, resolute, and a fine lawyer.
Carolyn
Branch, the first local female judge, was elected to Family Court
soon after the court was created in 1962. She ran a successful primary
against the Republican Party's designated candidate and defeated the
Democratic candidate in the general election.
2008: Carolyn G. Nussbaum
2006: Nora Jones
2005: Judge Marilyn Hoffman
O'Connor
2004: Eileen Buholtz
Delores
Denman Award
The
Delores Denman Award, named in honor of the late Presiding Justice
of the Appellate Division, Fourth Departmnet, Judge M. Delores Denman,
was established in 2000. This award recognizes the accomplishments
of a jurist in promoting the fair and equal administration of justice
which has a significant impact on women and minorities. The
award also recognizes conduct, either in the form of a single event
or over a lifttime, which raises the awareness of the inequities in
the justice system. In 2000, New York State Chief Judge Judith
S. Kaye was the first recipient of the Delores Denman Award.
2008: Judge Marilyn O'Connor
2005: Judge Ann Pfeiffer
and Judge Elizabeth Pine
2000: Judge Judith S. Kaye
President's
Award
This
award is given to a GRAWA member, at the discretion of the President,
to acknowledge this member's hard work and commitment to the organization
within the past year.
Year |
President |
Recipient |
| 2007-2008 |
Greta K. Kolcon |
Gina Sickinger |
| 2006-2007 |
Sara Stout Ashcraft |
Anita Pelletier |
| 2005-2006 |
Denine Carr |
Elaine Cole |
| 2004-2005 |
Audrey P. Peartree |
Nora Jones |
| 2003-2004 |
Elizabeth Wolford |
Sheila Gaddis |
| 2002-2003 |
Hon. Marian Payson |
Denine Carr and Linda Kelly |
| 2001-2002 |
Catherine M. Callery |
Hanna S. Cohn |
| 2000-2001 |
Sharon P. Stiller |
Terry M. Richman |
| 1999-2000 |
Eileen E. Buholtz |
Valerie Johnson, Cecily Molak, and Mary Jane Angelone |
| 1998-1999 |
Carolyn G. Nussbaum |
Elizabeth Woldford and Jodi Goldman |
| 1997-1998 |
Anne Van Graafeiland |
Karen Morris |
| 1996-1997 |
Terry M. Richman |
Debra Martin |
| 1995-1996 |
Elaine Zipp Cole |
Marilyn Hoffman |
| 1994-1995 |
Debra Martin |
Catherine Callery |
| 1993-1994 |
Maureen Byrne |
Adele Fine |
| 1992-1993 |
June Castellano |
Susan laluk |
| 1991-1992 |
Catherine Foerster |
Trudy Nowak |
| 1990-1991 |
Diane Cecero |
Maureen Byrne |
| 1989-1990 |
Merle Troeger |
Sharon Stiller |
| 1988-1989 |
Hanna S. Cohn |
June Castellano |
| 1987-1988 |
Rosemary Roberts |
No Information |
| 1986-1987 |
Marilyn Hoffman O’Connor |
Patricia Gallaher |
| 1985-1986 |
Nancy Peck |
None |
| 1984-1985 |
Karen Morris |
None |
| 1983-1984 |
Trudy Nowak |
None |
Copyright
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Photo Credits
Rochester, NY skyline photo: Copyright 2003, Greater Rochester Visitors Association. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Hanna S. Cohn photo: Copyright 2003. All rights reserved. Used with permission from the Cohn family.
Other photos by Nora A.
Jones and GRAWA volunteers. |
