(New York, NY, Wednesday, March 31, 2021) The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”) condemns acts of violence and harassment against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. The promise of this great nation is freedom and justice for all. Consistent with WBASNY’s 40-year-old mission of promoting fairness and equality for all, WBASNY condemns hate, prejudice, and racism in all forms. The diversity of the people of the United States is what makes this country great. The AAPI community has contributed to and formed the American fabric since at least the 1800s. As a country, we will not rise to our full potential until inclusivity is part of our norm. WBASNY pledges to stand with the AAPI community in solidarity. End the hate. Stop the violence.

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The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) is the professional membership organization of choice for more than 4,000 attorneys throughout New York State, and the largest statewide women’s bar association in the country. For four decades, WBASNY has been a singularly important resource for women lawyers, with professional networking, continuing legal education programming, leadership training, and advocacy for the rights of women, children, and families. Through involvement with WBASNY’s 20 regional chapters and its 40-plus substantive law committees, WBASNY’s members collaborate with one another on a variety of issues and perform public and community service, in furtherance of its mission to promote the advancement of the status of women in society and women in the legal profession; to promote the fair and equal administration of justice; and to act as a unified voice for its members with respect to issues of statewide, national and international significance to women generally and women attorneys in particular. WBASNY holds United Nations NGO status with the U.N.’s Department of Public Information, and Special Consultative status in association with the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). WBASNY is also a founding member of the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations.