I am privileged to serve as President of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) for the 2026–2027 term. WBASNY is the largest statewide women’s bar association in the United States, with 20 chapters throughout the state and 50+ committees, which give members opportunities to network, advocate for legislative change, and serve the community. WBASNY connects attorneys across geographic, political, economic, and practice-area divides.
The need for women’s bar associations is more apparent than ever. The challenges faced by women – especially diverse women — have intensified in recent years. This year, WBASNY will work toward strengthening the organization by increasing and celebrating its diversity. To remain relevant and impactful moving forward and be a stronger advocate
for its members and goals, WBASNY must make diversity central to its mission and culture. WBASNY membership must be more fully representative of its members’ clients and the diverse population of New York.
WBASNY will take steps toward this goal throughout the year, working with the chapters and the Diversity Committee, including developing and adopting a formal DEI statement, providing more programming that benefits and attracts diverse members, and increasing leadership development by mentoring and advocating for diverse members. Through these efforts, WBASNY will continue to build a stronger future for the legal profession.
If you are not yet a WBASNY member, we welcome you to join and help further WBASNY’s mission to advance the status of women, support the fair and equal administration of justice, and act as a unified voice regarding issues of significance to women and women lawyers.
Rebekah Nellis Kennedy, Esq., WBASNY President
“Out of Many, One: Strength Through Diversity”
