PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Amy Quackenboss, President 2009-2010 

Amy Quackenboss is the 2009-2010 President of GAWL and counsel with Hunton & Williams LLP, practicing bankruptcy and creditors' rights litigation and restructuring.

“Onward and Upward”
          GAWL’s founding members had a vision - to create an organization that would take a stand and promote progress for women lawyers. For the past 80 years, GAWL has done just that. Yes, there have been times we have lost our way and stumbled a bit. But, as I stand before you today, I truly believe GAWL is at the top of its game. This is no accident. It is the result of years of hard work, dedication and planning.  
          The 2009 Annual Dinner marked the conclusion of the 6th year of GAWL’s first-ever 5-year strategic plan. This plan provided focus for GAWL’s leadership, through which great things have been accomplished. For example, during the past 6 years:
·       GAWL has increased its membership to over 1000 members; this up from 400 members just 6 years ago.
·       GAWL established an operating budget of over $300,000. Six years ago GAWL perhaps spent $20,000 a year on events.
·       GAWL created and implemented its Leadership Academy, which promotes leaders within GAWL, as well as the greater legal and business communities in Georgia.
·       GAWL published not one, but TWO surveys that have received national recognition.
·       GAWL established its Judicial Applicant Review Committee, JARC, which has repeatedly presented well-researched and thoughtful opinions to the Governor’s Judicial Nominating Committee
·       GAWL established Neighborhood Networking Breakfasts, which provide small-group monthly networking opportunities
·       The GAWL Foundation created its endowment, which it will use to sustain the Foundation’s community service work for years to come.
·       And, most recently, GAWL developed a policy to support women candidates and will soon be announcing the formation of its Candidate’s Committee.
              So, you ask, “What more can we do? Where can we go from here?” I say to you, there is still much to be done! 
              My vision for GAWL, which I know I share with many of you, is that GAWL become not only A voice for women lawyers, but THE voice for women lawyers across the State. I would love to see the day where EVERY woman lawyer in Georgia can say that GAWL positively affected her life or practice. Even though I am an incorrigible optimist, I understand that we cannot accomplish this during my tenure as President. But, what we can do is make significant progress towards achieving this vision through the development and implementation of GAWL’s next Strategic Plan. The new GAWL Board will be doing exactly this at the Board Planning Retreat in less than 2 weeks. 
              I assure you, this is no easy task. The new GAWL Board is as diverse as GAWL’s general membership. But, each Board member is brilliant, driven and has GAWL’s mission at heart. With this combination, I am confident we will develop a plan that will take GAWL to a new level. 
              Through this new strategic plan, we will be able to increase GAWL’s influence and power.   We need to make GAWL known in more places throughout the State and across the United States. We also need to implement a plan that will help GAWL create and sustain women lawyer leaders who can use their power and influence to assist other women attorneys. We need more Sara Turnipseed’s to sit on the executive committees of their firms. We need more Robin Sangston’s to influence businesses to partner with, and send business to, women attorneys. We need more Carol Hunstein’s, Anne Barnes, Leah Ward Sears, and Dorothy Beasley’s to encourage young women to break barriers and join the judiciary. We need more Stephanie Benfield Stuckey’s to encourage young women attorneys to facilitate change by serving in the legislature. We need more Linda Klein’s and Nancy Whaley’s to take leadership roles in the State Bar so that we can increase the presence and influence of women in the State Bar’s leadership.  
              GAWL’s continued support of women lawyers’ rise into these leadership and decision-making positions is crucial to the advancement and well-being of women lawyers generally.   You can rest assured that this will be a primary goal of GAWL’s new strategic plan.
     Even though we have come a long way in the past 80 years, we still have a lot to do. GAWL cannot get where it needs to go without your help. Therefore, I challenge each of you to get involved by joining a committee, applying for the Leadership Academy, volunteering to serve as a mentor, donating to the endowment, attending a Neighborhood Networking Event, responding to surveys, supporting fellow GAWL members at events, or simply attending GAWL events.
     To the new GAWL Board, thank you for your willingness to serve. As you can see, it’s going to be an exciting year, and I look forward to working with you!