Scholarships Awarded to Law Students at Annual MAWL Banquet

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Scholarships Awarded to Law Students at Annual MAWL Banquet
by Elizabeth K. Steel, Esq. & Barbara Senecal, Esq.

On June 1, 2006, the Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers Foundation presented scholarship awards to two women law students at M.A.W.L.'s Annual Banquet at the Hotel Marlowe. Maria Luise, Esq. and Judge Mary Muse (ret.) presented the awards to Heather Cannady and Christina Dacchille.

Before the presentations, Maria Luise explained the purpose of the M.A.W.L. Foundation. Through fundraising, the Foundation raises money to award to deserving law students. In the past, they have held golf tournaments and dinner auctions. Attorney Muse stated that they are tentatively considering holding a reverse raffle in the coming year and asked members to stay tuned! She said that the Foundation is inundated with applications each year and wished they had enough money to give to all the students who apply.

Attorney Luise also thanked the members of the Foundation who have worked so hard not only at raising money but also at studying each application and choosing the recipients. She introduced the Foundation members including: Martha R. Bagley, Esq., Diane J. Capozzoli, Esq., Maria Luise, Esq., the Honorable Mary B. Muse (ret.), Barbara Senecal, Esq., and ex officio Jocelynne Welsh, President of M.A.W.L. Maria noted that unfortunately, Barbara Senecal could not be present that evening because she was attending her high school reunion at Girls' Latin School. The nominating committee consisted of Juliane Balliro, Esq., Celia Weinstein, Esq., and Nance Lyons, Esq.

Judge Muse then presented the Sheila E. McGovern Fund Scholarship award to Christina R. Dacchille. Christina is a student at Northeastern Law School and will graduate in 2007. Originally from New Jersey, she is the daughter of immigrants. She was taught early in life that education was the key to success. She earned a scholarship to an elite private school in New Jersey and then went on to Loyola College because of its focus on social justice and service learning. She became involved in local soup kitchens, after-school programs, and “Rock the Vote” registration drives. After graduating from college summa cum laude, she spent a year volunteering for murder victims' families for human rights, which opposes capital punishment.

Christina was attracted to Northeastern University because of its focus on public interest law. She received high praise from her professors and has used her legal knowledge to help others. Christina has been a domestic violence advocate in the emergency room at Boston Medical Center. There, she provided intervention services such as safety planning, shelter placement and access to emergency restraining orders. She has been a legal intern at the Family Advocacy Program. She worked directly with single mothers struggling with few if any economic resources. She assisted them in facing challenging issues in immigration, housing, education and welfare.

Ms. Dacchille's work in these programs has fueled her desire to build a career in public interest law. Even in the face of overwhelming debt, she remains committed to working on behalf of vulnerable individuals.

The next scholarship recipient was Heather L. Cannady of Harvard Law School . She will graduate in 2007. Unfortunately, she was stuck in traffic returning from New York and did not make it until the end of the Banquet. Her story is also just as moving and admirable. As a young child she and her family faced extensive racism when they moved to a small town in upstate New York. Then four years ago, her father was laid off. Thus, Heather has had to work while going to college and law school. However, she views herself as wealthy by virtue of the experience she has gained in learning teamwork skills, time management, and financial responsibility. Her upbringing has given her the desire to work in public service to reach out to others who face similar disadvantages.

At New York University, where she graduated magna cum laude, she was a Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar. Heather was also involved in the New York Anti-Hunger League and eventually became its president. At Harvard University, she has provided legal services to low-income clients through her participation in Harvard Defenders and the criminal justice advocacy programs. She has done this while also working as articles editor for the Civil Rights Civil Liberties Law Review. Heather has been able to maintain very good grades as well. She is also a member of Stop DV, Harvard's Domestic Violence Awareness organization. This year she organized a conference on the state of women's services in post-Katrina New Orleans. She has also been a Big Sister. Heather will be representing the Class of 2007 at their graduation as Class Marshall. Professor Charles Ogletree, Jr., in his recommendation for the scholarship, stated that she is a talented and amazing young woman. Heather hopes to secure a criminal justice fellowship after graduation so that she can continue to develop the necessary skills for community work.

M.A.W.L. members and guests applauded both young women for their fine academic achievement and their commitment to serving others in their future legal careers.

Please stay tuned for further announcements on how you can help with the Foundation scholarship fundraising.