11/15/00

Eight distinguished women graduates with dean David Van Zandt in Alumni Hall. Photo by Mary Hanlon.

The Northwestern Law Alumni Association celebrated the achievements and contributions of women graduates to the legal profession and world at a reception on November 15 in Lowden Hall. The women honored are part of a new Alumni Wall of Fame addition titled "Women of Distinction."

For many years the "Wall of Fame" consisted primarily of white males who served as jurist and public officials. While proud of their achievements, their portraits alone did not reflect the Law School today, said Dean David Van Zandt in his welcoming remarks.

"When we updated the wall, we placed their achievements in the context of their day," he said. "Their changing faces over the years represent the changes that have occurred in the legal profession and the law school."

Northwestern has a long tradition of distinguished women graduates. In the 1870s, Northwestern became the first American law school to break the gender barrier by graduating Ada H. Keply. Last year the Law School celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Cook County Juvenile Court, which was led by graduate Mary Barhelme. Most recently, graduate Dawn Clark Netsch became the first woman to hold a statewide office in Illinois.

These firsts are only a prelude to what lies ahead for Northwestern graduates of the future. Women now make up 50 percent of the student body and are very often at the top of their class, said Dean Van Zandt.

Judge Carole Bellows and Lelia Foster view the new Alumni Wall addition. Photo by Mary Hanlon.

From social activist to federal judges to senior partners in some of the world's largest law firms, Northwestern women graduates are trailblazers.

Women whose pictures hang in the new Alumni Hall exhibit include: Geraldine M. Alexis '76, Cook County Circuit Judge Carole Kamin Bellows '60, Judy Biggert '63, Cynthia G. Bowman '82, US District Judge Elaine E. Bucklo '72, Antoinette Cook Bush '81, Barbara Caulfield '72, Linda R. Crane '81, Lelia M. Foster '53, Rita Aliese Fry '79, Diane Geraghty '72, Cook County Circuit Judge Sophia H. Hall '67, Gail Durham Hasbrouck '74, Vicki Hood '77, US District Judge Joan Humphrey Lefkow '71, Dawn Clark Netsch '52, Vicki A. O'Meara '82, Nancy A. Pacher '75, Sheli Rosenberg '66, US District Judge Jeanne E. Scott '73, Kathleen Kelly Spear '79, Nina G. Stillman '73.