White and Williams Recognizes Women’s History Month: Remembering Virginia Barton Wallace

March is Women’s History Month – a month dedicated to the accomplishments and history of women in the United States. The theme for International Women’s Day, which is this Thursday March 7, is “Inspire Inclusion.” White and Williams LLP is dedicated to understanding, valuing and inspiring inclusion in the field of law

White and Williams is proud of the women who have become leaders in the firm’s history, starting with Virginia “Ginny” Barton Wallace, an extraordinarily accomplished pioneer among female attorneys. She joined the firm immediately after graduating from University of Pennsylvania School of Law in 1950, and in 1961, Ginny became the first woman to become the first female partner not only at White and Williams but also at any law firm in Philadelphia.

To honor her trailblazing career, White and Williams created the Virginia Barton Wallace Award, to be presented to a professional woman who embodies the same remarkable qualities that Ginny possessed: leadership, drive, exemplary work ethic, overall excellence in her field,and an ability to inspire other women to succeed. The award was last presented to the trailblazing late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor in 2013. Prior to that, recipients included Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns-Goodwin and Emmy Award-winning journalist Cokie Roberts. Local women leaders recognized in conjunction with the award have included the late JoAnn Epps, legal scholar, former Dean, Temple Law School, and the first Black woman to be permanently appointed to serve as the President of Temple University.

The firm’s Women’s Initiative is a committee dedicated to the development of educational programs, networking opportunities and charitable activities that help to foster a supportive and inclusive workplace and serves the goal of retaining and promoting women at the firm.

For more information about the firm’s Women’s Initiative, contact Sarabeth Gaver at 201.368.7212 (gavers@whiteandwilliams.com) and Siobhain Minarovich at 212.631.4415 (minarovichs@whiteandwilliams.com).