MAWL Celebrates its Centennial and Honors Justice Fernande R. V. Duffly at its Annual Banquet

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MAWL Celebrates its Centennial and Honors Justice Fernande R. V. Duffly at its Annual Banquet

On Thursday June 10, 2004 the Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers held its annual banquet at the Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This was a special two-fold celebration because MAWL began the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of its founding. MAWL also presented the 2004 Distinguished Jurist Award to the Honorable Fernande R. V. Duffly, of the Massachusetts Appeals Court.

MAWL kicked off its Banquet with an enjoyable cocktail hour where members and colleagues were able to mingle. Then the attendees were called into the dining room for dinner. There, they were welcomed by Carol L. Reiter, Esq., the newly installed President of MAWL for 2004-2005. President Reiter thanked outgoing MAWL President Martha Rush O'Mara for her service to MAWL over the past year and presented her with a token of the Board of Director's appreciation.

Attorney Reiter then introduced the Officers and the members of the Board of Directors of MAWL. The Officers were Jocelynne D. Welsh, President-Elect, Rosemary Eacmen, Vice President, Deborah Habig-Shnek, Recording Secretary, Jane Taubner Barney, Corresponding Secretary, Michelle Lespasio, Assistant corresponding Secretary, Mary Healey, Treasurer, and Tracy-Lee Lyons, Assistant Treasurer. Members of the Board of Directors introduced were Alicia Doherty, Denise Fitzgerald, Lois Martin, Rosemary McAuliffe, Theresa Mursick-Meyer, Mary P. O'Malley, Martha Rush O'Mara, Deborah Santello, Elizabeth Steel, and Celia Weinstein.

Carol Reiter made special mention of Margaret Kelly Doyle, one of the oldest members of MAWL to attend the Banquet that evening. Attorney Doyle was President of MAWL from 1970 to 1971. She wore a white corsage given to her by the MAWL Board. Attorney Reiter also thanked the Honorable Mary B. Muse (ret.) for her years of service to MAWL and to the Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers Scholarship Fund. President Reiter noted that Judge Muse had hosted the first Foundation fundraiser auction at her house many years ago and was actually going to host it at her home again this fall for the Honorable Sheila E. McGovern Fund.

MAWL was pleased to have the Honorable Margaret H. Marshall, Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, give the opening remarks. Carol Reiter thanked Chief Justice Marshall for always making a pointed effort to be available to attend the Annual Banquet. Chief Justice Marshall, in her remarks, also acknowledged Margaret Doyle.

As the evening passed, Attorney Reiter made the first Presentation. The Board of Directors extended its sincere thanks to Attorney Susan G. Neisuler by presenting her with the Unsung Hero Award for her extraordinary efforts in researching and writing the lengthy booklet that was presented to each attendee at the Banquet. This booklet, drafted especially for MAWL's centennial, described the fascinating history of the first women lawyers in Massachusetts as well as the history of MAWL and its past presidents.

Then it was on to honoring Appeals Court Justice Fernande R. V. Duffly. She was introduced by Patricia Hurley, Esq. and the Honorable Raya S. Dreben, Justice, Massachusetts Appeals Court. They both spoke about Judge Duffly's dedication, compassion, energy, and high intellect in her pursuit of justice and in her mentoring of others. Many of Justice Duffly's friends, family and colleagues attended the Banquet to celebrate the Award and to honor her. The Honorable Duffly humbly accepted the 2004 Distinguished Jurist Award and thanked everyone in her speech.

The keynote speaker was Shannon O'Brien, Esq., former State Treasurer for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and more recently, a former Democratic Party candidate for Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Attorney O'Brien gave a riveting speech about her current work to protect consumers as the consumer advocate reporter for Channel 56.

All in all, the Banquet was a great success for MAWL and a great way to kick off the upcoming year of events. Stay tuned for upcoming events including a seminar on reading and interpreting medical records to be held in September 2004 and a wine tour in October 2004. In December 2004, MAWL will host its annual Holiday Toast. Feel free to check MAWL's new website for more details about upcoming events, as well as the President's Message, and other information about MAWL. There will also be pictures from the Annual Banquet on the website.