Stetson Law hosts Women’s Week Feb. 24-28

By Sarah Shirley

FAWLS at Stetson hosted the annual Women’s Week program. (L-R): Megan Summers, Rebecca Klonel, Shennia Laurence, Rachel Wise, Kim Lopater, Michelle Moretz, Emeraude Lerebours, Kelsey Norman and Taylor Scribner.

The Florida Association of Women Lawyers at Stetson hosts an annual Women’s Week program to raise awareness, encourage advocacy, and initiate action on current women’s rights issues in the U.S. through various pro bono, professional development, and educational events.

Kimberly Lopater, president of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers at Stetson Law, described the annual Women’s Week program as empowering.

(L-R): Jenay Iurato (Iurato Law), Dr. Kanika Tomalin (Deputy Mayor of St. Petersburg), Steve Berlin (Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell), and Tiffany Love McEhleran (Bush Ross, PA).

This year, students had an opportunity to participate in pro bono activities and network with nine influential practitioners and the Florida Bar president, Michelle R. Suskauer, who spoke on the Gulfport campus on Feb. 26.

(L-R): Richard Pollack (Trenam Law), Jeanie Poley (Hill Ward Henderson), Joann Grages Burnett (Stetson Law Office of Career and Professional Development), Travis Coy (Assistant State Attorney with the 13th Judicial Circuit), Jason Bent (Stetson Law Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Law).

“In the future, I would like to see Women’s Week develop into a more collaborative program in which more student organizations work together to promote gender equality and women’s rights,” said Lopater. “There is a big misconception that Women’s Week is just for women, and that is simply not true.”

Florida Bar President Michelle Suskauer (far left) spoke at Stetson Law during Women’s Week.

“With the help of other student organizations, we can debunk this gender myth and focus on the big goals––educating and advocating,” said Lopater. “One of the simplest ways that students can contribute to Women’s Week is through our pro bono project.”

This year, students had an opportunity to contribute to a fundraiser and supply drive for female veterans of the Tampa Crossroads Athena House either as participants or volunteer at the Superhero 5k. Students were also invited to sign letters to the Florida legislature at the Operation Athena lunch to address female veteran-parents, the pink tax, and HB 49/SB 332 Dignity for Incarcerated Women.

The Superhero 5K included participants and volunteers.

“Aside from the pro bono work, the greatest way that students can contribute to Women’s Week is by showing up,” said Lopater.

FAWLS raised more than $1200 for Athena House, students wrote 50 cards of encouragement to female veterans, and donations are still being collected. 

“FAWLS uses Women’s Week as a way to get students active in the community so they can be reminded of the unique power that we have to influence the world around us,” Lopater explained.

Post date: March 1, 2019

Media contact: Kate Bradshaw
[email protected] | 727-430-1580
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