Tribute to Marjorie Karowe
By Joy A Thompson

Marjorie E. (“Marge”) Karowe, one of WBASNY’s founders, was elected as WBASNY’s second president in 1982. She served as president for two terms (1982 and 1983). Described throughout her career as a pioneer, trailblazer, and advocate, Ms. Karowe’s vision for WBASNY, women lawyers, and women in general can best be summed up in her own words – specifically this excerpt from her installation speech in 1983 at the WBASNY Convention at the Gideon Putnam, Saratoga Springs, New York:

“My friends, we are making history. Now, I am a great believer in history because I believe that, before we can fully know who we are and where we are going, we must know who we were and where we have come from. I believe we must find our roots, for it is our beginnings which give us a sense of ourselves. We need to feel the continuity of pattern, to know that we have been there before, that we have faced hardship and obstacle – and won, for it is the past that releases the dreams of the future.”

You may read the full text of Ms. Karowe’s speech here.