Highlights of Presidency:

It was a supreme privilege to serve as president of WBASNY from 2000 to 2001.

I have so many fond memories of my tenure as president, but some that stand out in my mind are the wonderful convention we held in Washington, DC, and our return trip to DC later that year. It was during our second trip to DC that I had the great honor of making a motion before the United States Supreme Court to have some of our members admitted to the Supreme Court Bar. 

Prior to the day we were to appear in the Supreme Court, we had fun sightseeing, shopping and going to dinner. When I returned to my hotel room, I received a late evening call from the Supreme Court telling me that we had to arrive there first thing in the morning because later that day, the court had scheduled argument on the case of Bush v Gore. 

As we made our way to the court early the next morning, we walked through a sea of people, all of whom wanted to hear the arguments in that matter of great historical significance, or at least be in close proximity to the court. It was a frenzied atmosphere, and I remember seeing a donkey on the courthouse steps. That is not something you see every day! 

In addition to our group, that day, there was a group from a New York City law school whose dean was going to make a motion on behalf of the group. A well-known reporter was a part of the law school contingent, and he rather brazenly approached Supreme Court employees trying to elicit from them information about the matter scheduled to be heard that day. I turned to the dean and said, I am glad he’s with you, not with us! 

In any event, I made my motion, and our WBASNY folks were admitted to the Supreme Court Bar. Sadly, however, our planned reception with the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor was cancelled because the justices had to hear the matter of Bush v Gore.  But we were given a little tour of the building, and we had the opportunity to visit the gift shop and bring home mementos that I still cherish! 

In addition to the DC convention and the trip to the Supreme Court, both of which brought together members from across the state, I continually focused on ways for members from all chapters to work together on projects and strove to foster collegiality among members. 

I am grateful for my time as president, but also for my long association with WBASNY, which has allowed me to interact with wonderful people – mentors and leaders – who have become lifetime friends and who taught me how to mentor others in turn.