Women’s History Month With WIP
NCBA Women in the Profession (WIP) Committee serves as a resource by identifying ways to encourage and maintain the active participation and advancement of women in NCBA and the legal profession. This is achieved through educational programs, awareness initiatives and networking events that highlight the accomplishments of women attorneys. In honor of Women’s History Month, we asked WIP members a series of questions that dive deeper into the meaning of the annual observance and how it translates to the legal profession, as well as personal experiences as women in this industry.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
“For me, Women’s History Month is the critical recognition of the wide range of sacrifices that women from all professions and ages have made to open doors for other women.”
— Kathy Barry, SAS
“Women’s History Month is my favorite month. A timeline of significant moments for women in this state is featured in March at the North Carolina Museum of History. That timeline has a ‘dot’ indicating the first woman ever elected to a statewide executive office in 1996. I became that ‘dot’ as North Carolina’s secretary of state when I was elected that November. That would not have happened without the support of women attorneys across this state. Domestic violence prevention groups; advocates for children and the marginalized; and groups representing persons affected by seriously unfair laws for women were the backbone of that campaign. Those issues were part of the reason I originally ran for NC Senate. It has been quite satisfying when people reference great strides made for women and recognize me for having some role in that.”
— Hon. Elaine F. Marshall, Secretary of State
What does being a part of a community like the Women in the Profession Committee mean to you?
“Women in the Profession Committee is a community that allows me to work alongside and honor women who paved the way for me to be where I am professionally and personally. It also shines a light on those efforts to younger females looking to enter the legal field or who are just getting started. Looking forward, I am excited to continue to honor, support and encourage women to advance in the law in North Carolina — for those who came before me and for those who will be here long after me.”
— Kasey McCalla, Teague Campbell
Are there any lessons from women’s history that guide you in how you approach your career?
“The women who have been part of my life and who shaped my life before I was even born have taught me many important lessons. The most important of those lessons are resilience, a strong work ethic and a desire to help other women on their chosen paths. My great-grandmother Almeda Segura, whom I was fortunate to know well, was the mother of eight children. After her husband, a commercial fisherman, died in an accident on the wharf, she raised her children alone. She was humble and hard working. Her resilience brought famous painter Blanche Lazzell and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver into her family’s lives. Almeda is honored in the photographic tribute ‘They Also Faced the Sea’ and is a constant guide to me that hard work and sacrifice provide personal and professional benefits. We can find beauty in our lives even when we face great challenges.”
— Kathy Barry, SAS
“Shirley Chisholm provided this country with powerful sayings that apply directly to women and their climb for recognition: ‘You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas. If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring in a folding chair.’”
— Kimberly M. Johnson, Digital Journalist and Paralegal
“We need more women and women attorneys in elected office at every level of government. The achievements of the past did not come easily. I always recognized I was standing on the shoulders of others who laid the groundwork for change, provided guidance on lessons learned and were very encouraging. We all need to encourage women who are interested in policymaking through elected office and support them. It can be quite lonely and frustrating without that support. We also need to pay tribute to those who open doors for us to pass through. In my case, attorney and Representative B. Holt was precisely that individual. Another role model was lawyer Representative Annie Kennedy, who not only served in the General Assembly when women were in the minority but was also the first Black woman to serve in that state office.”
— Hon. Elaine F. Marshall, Secretary of State
Why is Women’s History Month an important time for reflection and action within professional spaces?
“We are destined to repeat historical mistakes unless we know our history — and learn from it. In a time when erasing uncomfortable history is occurring, we must continue to reflect on women’s history, especially the challenges we have overcome. Many of those challenges occur within professional spaces. To truly honor women, their past sacrifices and their significance in our future, our profession must intentionally make space for our experiences and stories.”
— Kathy Barry, SAS
“It’s an opportunity to reflect on the strides women have made in the legal profession while acknowledging the current challenges. Issues facing professional women don’t go away; they simply change. It is also a time to celebrate women and those who support women within all professional spaces.”
— Claire Healy, K&L Gates LLP
Is there a fellow NCBA woman who has influenced and/or mentored you?
“Leann Walsh — I work with Leann every day and she is a role model to me as both a partner and leader in our firm and as a wife and mother. Leann has the ability to make all people feel valued and an attitude that turns challenges into opportunities. In doing so, she has built a practice where her clients trust her advice and can depend on her in difficult situations.”
— Claire Healy, K&L Gates LLP
“Esther Manheimer, principal at the Van Winkle Law Firm in Asheville. Esther was my formally assigned mentor when I came to the firm as an associate in 2008, but even after I made partner 12 years ago, she continued to be someone whom I admire, respect and look to for life advice. Not only is she an amazing lawyer, she’s the mayor of our city of Asheville and has been an incredible spokesperson and advocate in Raleigh and Washington for our neck of the woods for many years — especially since Hurricane Helene. I’ll never forget the day, in the aftermath of Helene, with no water or electricity to be found, when she washed her hair in a five-gallon bucket and went to meet President Biden at the airport to join him on Marine One to survey the damage in Western North Carolina. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to help rebuild our community and secure funding for those efforts, serving as co-chair of Gov. Josh Stein’s Advisory Committee on WNC Recovery. She’s an incredible lawyer, mayor, mom, law partner and friend and I’m so grateful to have her as a role model for myself and for other young female attorneys in our community.”
— Lindsay Parris Thompson, The Van Winkle Law Firm
What’s a challenge you’ve faced as a woman in this profession, and what did it teach you?
“As a military spouse, I faced significant challenges with mandatory military moves in a profession that was not built for military spouses. Over my career, I took and passed five bar exams as we relocated for military assignments. While military spouses have made significant advances with bar admissions, there are still biases against hiring military spouses. I recall one interviewer telling me I was essentially a single mom and how did I expect to practice law for him. I was stunned on so many levels. I learned perseverance from these experiences — and to keep my bar exam skills sharp. Over time, I also learned to speak up about improper hiring practices to improve the experience for other women, especially military spouses. The best part about my legal career as a military spouse is that I have been able to practice law in a variety of areas from criminal prosecution to civil tax litigation to corporate transactional work. I feel fortunate to have worked with many wonderful and talented colleagues throughout the country.”
— Kathy Barry, SAS
What advice would you give to young women pursuing a legal career?
“I would advise embracing the opportunities that cross your path and maintaining connections with colleagues. Life and work take us to amazing places.”
— Kathy Barry, SAS
“Having good boundaries is essential to a successful career and a successful life. In your professional and personal lives, people are constantly vying for your time and attention and they will take all you are willing to give. You have to set boundaries that work for you, your family and your career and enforce those boundaries when they are challenged (because they will be). However, do not “boundary” yourself out of a great opportunity. Know that in some seasons flexibility and outsourcing what you can will be necessary to take advantage of exciting opportunities.”
— Claire Healy, K&L Gates LLP
“I would tell young women to get as much education as you can afford. For example, those who want to become paralegals should choose the best paralegal program that can provide job opportunities and networking connections. Always take advantage of educational seminars, workshops and informal get-togethers.”
— Kimberly M. Johnson, Digital Journalist and Paralegal
“As a younger attorney myself, I appreciate and acknowledge the dedication and sacrifices women attorneys have made to overcome barriers in and out of the courtroom — from being judged for not wearing tights instead of on the basis of your argument to being the only woman in a room full of men. I advise young female attorneys to seek out mentorship opportunities from senior female lawyers in a type of law that interests them and utilize the advice and insights their mentor has to offer.”
— Kasey McCalla, Teague Campbell
What excites you the most about the future of women in the legal field? What about the future happenings of the Women in the Profession Committee?
“I think more women will find their way into public service in areas such as immigration, senior citizen issues, social justice and education. I predict that women of color will enter the legal profession in record numbers within five to 10 years. I think more women will crack the glass ceiling and secure more federal and statewide judgeships.”
— Kimberly M. Johnson, Digital Journalist and Paralegal
“The Trailblazer Award is a newer award that recognizes and celebrates women who have dedicated themselves to the promotion of women throughout their careers. Collectively, women supporting each other provides advancement and opportunity and incentivizes the next generation of female lawyers and this award provides an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts made for the greater good of womanhood.”
— Kasey McCalla, Teague Campbell
How can NCBA members support the Women in the Profession Committee’s mission year-round?
“By mentoring young female lawyers they know or work with. Get a cup of coffee with a law student, take a colleague to lunch or spare a few extra minutes to provide meaningful feedback to someone you supervise.”
— Claire Healy, K&L Gates LLP
WIP is just one of 18 committees offered by the North Carolina Bar Association and with committee involvement, members can help shape the association and the legal profession. Want to learn more? Visit our Committees page for more information on WIP and other offerings.