ILLINOIS STATE BAR ASSOCIATION DECEMBER 2018 VOL 24 NO. 2 The Catalyst The newsletter of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Women and the Law

Chair’s column Chair’s column 1 BY LORI LEVIN

Book review: The Woman This year, the Women and the Law not only lobbied the ISBA to unanimously Behind the New Deal by Kristin Downey Committee (WATL) is continuing its support the amendment but then lobbied 1 legacy of successful advocacy for women’s legislators and provided background issues in general and women’s lawyer material to the General Assembly that interests specifically. finally secured Illinois’ ratification of the Fast facts about our female U.S. Supreme Court justices In October, the committee and the Equal Rights Amendment. We continue 4 larger Illinois State Bar Association were to provide resources to lawyers in other honored by the Illinois Women’s Institute states, such as Virginia, who are working to for Leadership Training Academy with be the final state necessary for ratification. Spotlight on Renea Amen 6 a Trailblazers Award for our work that In November, we presented a successful helped Illinois pass the Equal Rights Continuing Legal Education program on Amendment to the United States Advancing Your Firm: Personal Branding Women rule the legal Constitution. Our committee’s members Continued on next page profession in Cuba 6

Good news column Book review: The Woman 6 Behind the New Deal by Kristin Downey

BY CINDY G. BUYS

Can you name the first female member to many government programs that are the Holyoke, where she was influenced by Mary of the U.S. Cabinet? Until I read, “The backbone of the social safety net today. E. Woolley—a feminist who became the Woman Behind the New Deal: The Life and Frances Perkins was born in Boston in president of the college during Ms. Perkins’ Legacy of Frances Perkins,” I could not. I 1880. She had an unusual father for the time there—and Florence Kelley—executive have mentioned Frances Perkins to many of time, because he taught her to read Greek secretary of the National Consumers my well-educated friends and almost none at age 8 and supported her attendance League, who became a mentor and friend. could tell me who she was. That is truly a through both high school and college at Following college, Ms. Perkins took shame and an indictment of our educational a time when only 3 percent of women several teaching jobs, eventually landing system. Not only was Frances Perkins a went on to higher education. Ms. Perkins in Chicago where she became involved in trailblazing woman, she was a crucial figure earned her undergraduate degree at Mount Continued on page 3 The Catalyst ▼ DECEMBER 2018 / VOL 24 / NO. 2

Chair’s column CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The Catalyst for the Female Attorney. Organized planned to further public outreach and This is the newsletter of the ISBA’s by members Dina Ninfo and Tracey access to justice. Standing Committee on Women & the Law. Section newsletters are free Douglas and moderated by Board of We plan to hold our third annual to section members and published Governors member Ava George Stewart, International Women’s Day Tea in March at least four times per year. Section the panel featured different and ethical and have an exciting continuing legal membership dues are $30 per year. To subscribe, visit www.isba.org/sections marketing strategies and gave tips how education program on girls in crisis that or call 217-525-1760. to target different and diverse audiences. will feature national and local speakers. OFFICE Our panelists were committee members For more information on these efforts ILLINOIS BAR CENTER 424 S. SECOND STREET Shira Truitt and Annemarie Kill as well and others, please reach out to Melissa SPRINGFIELD, IL 62701 PHONES: 217-525-1760 OR 800-252-8908 as Melissa Smart from ARDC and ISBA Burkholder, ISBA Director of Section WWW.ISBA.ORG members Masah Samforay and Carol Services, [email protected], 312-920- EDITORS Jones. Following the program, a reception 4682 or me. n Jessica C. Marshall Emily J. Rapp sponsored by Komie and Associates Sarah E. Toney allowed the audience to mingle with the Lori G. Levin is an experienced criminal and juvenile defense attorney who practices in the PUBLICATIONS MANAGER speakers and gain one-on-one practical Sara Anderson Chicagoland area. She can be reached at 312-972- [email protected] advice. 3756 or [email protected]. Her website is  Member Kristen Prinz taped a video on www.lorilevinlaw.com. She can also be found on STANDING COMMITTEE ON WOMEN the differences between equal and equitable Facebook at www.facebook.com/chicagodefense AND THE LAW and Twitter @LoriLevin. Lori G. Levin, Chair pay for the ISBA’s YouTube channel. As Kelly Thames Bennett, Vice-Chair Cindy G. Buys, Secretary women strive for equality, issues of equal Melissa M. Olivero, Ex-Officio Renea Amen pay as well as equitable pay remain in Staci L. Balbirer Hon. Patrice Ball-Reed the forefront. This video is one of several Ann Breen-Greco Deane B. Brown Jennifer L. Bunker Tracy D. Douglas Corri D. Fetman Kelly R. Giraudo Emily Ann Hansen Deanna L. Hoyt Jennifer P. Irmen Tiffannie M. Kennedy Marylou L. Kent Alexandrea Kinzinger Andrea L. Kmak Margie Komes Maxine Weiss Kunz Diana M. Law Rebecca M. Leynaud Hon. Pamela E. Loza Margaret A. Manetti Jessica C. Marshall, Newsletter Editor Amanda McQuaid Sherry A. Mundorff Margaret A. O’Sullivan Kristen E. Prinz Emily J. Rapp, Newsletter Editor Alice L. Sackett Maria M.L. Schwartz Sarah E. Toney, Newsletter Editor Shira D. Truitt, Erin M. Wilson, Bridget C. Duignan, Board Liaison Hon. Elizabeth M. Rochford, Board Liaison Melissa L. Burkholder, Staff Liaison Annemarie E. Kill, CLE Committee Liaison Dina M. Ninfo, CLE Coordinator Ashly A. McCants, Law Student Liaison

DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is for subscribers’ personal use only; redistribution is prohibited. Copyright Illinois State Bar Association. Statements or expressions of opinion appearing herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Association or Editors, and likewise the publication of any advertisement is not to be construed as an endorsement of the product or service offered unless it is specifically stated in the ad that there is such approval or endorsement. Articles are prepared as an educational service to members of ISBA. They should not be relied upon as a substitute for individual legal research. The articles in this newsletter are not intended to be used and may not be relied on for penalty avoidance.

2 Book review: The Woman Behind the New Deal by Kristin Downey

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 social work, including at Jane Addam’s Hull between labor and industry and continued professional challenges as the only female House, a life-changing experience. In 1907, her work improving labor conditions. member of the cabinet. Ms. Perkins seems Ms. Perkins took a new job in Philadelphia Smith chose Franklin Delano Roosevelt to have earned the respect of many of her investigating and assisting in the to be his successor for governor of New male colleagues, but also their jealousy due prosecution of persons who were tricking York. FDR won that office in 1928 when to her close relationship with the president. immigrant woman into sexual slavery. Smith unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. She and Interior Secretary Harold Ickes During this time, she realized she needed presidency. FDR promoted Ms. Perkins to were the only original members of to deepen her understanding of economic head the state industrial board. Although Roosevelt’s cabinet to remain in office and social issues, so she enrolled at the Mr. Perkins had first met FDR in 1910 in through all four of his terms, until FDR’s Wharton School of Finance and Commerce New York, it was during the next four years death in 1945. at the University of Pennsylvania, which of his governorship that they worked very Reading this book left me wondering had only recently begun accepting closely together and formed strong bonds, why someone who was so influential in women. She then received a Fellowship at personally and professionally. crafting and helping to secure the passage Columbia, so she moved to New York to Ms. Perkins also came to know Elanor of so many significant pieces of legislation continue her studies and focus her work on Roosevelt quite well at this time and could be so forgotten by history. Some of it the problems of the poor. While there, she worked closely with her throughout their may have to do with Ms. Perkin’s own self- became a leader in the suffrage movement. respective careers. However, the author effacing personal style and FDR’s almost Following graduation with a master’s suggests they were never true friends due mythical presence, but it is hard to entirely degree in political science in 1910, she in part to differences in their personalities, dismiss issues of gender. Ms. Perkins was took a job with the National Consumers and that there was sometimes a bit of a vital to the creation and implementation League in New York, which advocated for rivalry between them. of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the workers’ rights and protections. Her areas The stock market crash of 1929 and Public Works Administration, the National of focus included poor conditions in cellar the Great Depression followed within Industrial Recovery Act, the Social Security bakeries, long hours and poor wages for a year of FDR assuming the New York Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act. women, workplace fire hazards, and above Governorship. Francis Perkins saw these While “The Woman Behind the New Deal,” all, the elimination of child labor. Her work events as an opportunity to take dramatic may portray Francis Perkins in an overly involved a significant amount of advocacy action on social issues. She began to push sympathetic manner at times, it is certainly for new laws to protect workers, which in for reforms to benefit workers at the state worth reading to learn more about one of turn brought her into contact with many level and secured FDR’s support. the most influential women in U.S politics. influential politicians. Her political contacts When FDR was elected president included former president Theodore in 1932, he appointed Frances Perkins Cindy G. Buys is the Interim Dean and a Professor Roosevelt, who appointed her to lead a new as Secretary of Labor, making her the of Law at Southern Illinois University School of Law. She is also an active member of the ISBA, reform organization, the Committee on first female member of the U.S. Cabinet. currently serving as Secretary of the Women Safety, which investigated workplace fire When FDR invited Ms. Perkins to meet and the Law Committee and as a member of hazards. with him to discuss the appointment, the International and Immigration Law Section After a short respite for marriage and she presented him with a laundry list of Council. motherhood, Ms. Perkins’ next project was legislative proposals that she wanted to to head a new effort to provide maternal work on including, a forty-hour work week, and infant care to poor women. She a minimum wage, worker’s compensation, became the secretary of a new organization, unemployment compensation, a federal the Maternity Center Association, which ban on child labor, Social Security, and operated a network of free ob-gyn and well- health insurance. As author Kristin baby centers across New York City. Downey states: “The scope of her list In 1918, Francis Perkins was crucial in was breathtaking. She was proposing a helping Al Smith win the Governorship fundamental and radical restructuring of in New York, which resulted in her American society.” FDR agreed to Perkins’ appointment to the state Industrial agenda and they went to work. Commission. She was the first woman to The remainder of the book describes hold such an administrative position. In Frances Perkins’ work in the FDR White that role she successfully navigated disputes House, her personal struggles, as well as her

3 The Catalyst ▼ DECEMBER 2018 / VOL 24 / NO. 2

Fast facts about our female U.S. Supreme Court justices

BY ANDREA KMAK

There have been 114 people nominated irregular-shaped congressional districts. was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals and confirmed to the United States Supreme Voters challenged these plans, arguing for the District of Columbia in 1980, and Court. All but six have been white men. that they were racial gerrymandering. In to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1993, by Bill Four of these individuals have been women: a 5-4 decision with the majority authored Clinton. Ginsburg still serves on the bench Sandra Day O’Connor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, by O’Connor, the court held that the today. In fact, she has yet to miss a day of Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan. These redistricting plans were unconstitutional. oral arguments. women are a very small minority of the O’Connor, applying the strict scrutiny Notable Opinion: The Virginia Military justices that have served on the highest court standard of review, noted that the districts Institute (VMI), a public undergraduate in the country, but they have nonetheless would deprive minorities from equal university, admitted only male applicants. contributed to the Supreme Court in their participation in elections, and that they were Suit was filed arguing that the male-only own, unique ways. While this article is deliberately designed to obstruct minority admission policy violated the Fourteenth only a snapshot of who they are and what groups from electing representatives of their Amendment’s equal protection clause. The they do, it seeks to celebrate what they choice. majority opinion, written by Ginsburg have accomplished and highlight some Famous Quote: “The power I exert and joined by 6 other justices, perpetuates of their contributions to Supreme Court on the court depends on the power of my Ginsburg’s strong, proud voice as an jurisprudence. arguments, not on my gender.” advocate for gender equality. Personal Note: During her childhood, The Court ultimately held that VMI Sandra Day O’Connor O’Connor spent each summer on her family’s failed to show “exceedingly persuasive Biography Snapshot: Sandra Day Arizona ranch, which had no electricity or justification” for its gender-based admissions O’Connor was the first woman to serve on running water. She attended school in El policy, which was to further the state policy the United States Supreme Court. She grew Paso, Texas, living with her grandmother of “diversity.” Specifically, the Court noted up in the southwest United States, eventually during the school year. Among many other that VMI’s “remedy” to the situation, a attending Stanford University and graduating accomplishments, she completed law school proposed women’s institute, did not offer the with her law degree in 1952. Like many in two years, graduated third in her class same benefits that VMI offered men, did not women during her time, she found that from Stanford, and was the first woman on provide the same rigorous military training opportunities for female lawyers were sparse. the Arizona Senate elected as majority leader. and courses as VMI, and thus did not afford After being offered a position as an assistant, women the same opportunity as the men she worked without pay for some time as the Ruth Bader Ginsburg that attended VMI. San Mateo district attorney. Biography Snapshot: Ruth Bader Famous Quote: “[W]hen I’m sometimes She eventually made her way into private Ginsburg was raised in a working class asked when will there be enough [women on practice, was elected to the Arizona Senate family in Brooklyn, New York. She the Supreme Court]? And I say ‘When there in 1969, was elected as a circuit judge in the graduated first in her class from Cornell are nine.’ People are shocked. But there’d Maricopa County Superior Court in 1974, University and first in her Columbia law be nine men, and nobody’s ever raised a and appointed to the Arizona State Court class in 1959. Like O’Connor and despite her question about that.” of Appeals in 1979. Just two years later, outstanding academic credentials, she was Personal Note: Despite dramatically O’Connor became the first woman to serve turned away from several job opportunities different views on certain political issues, on the United States Supreme Court. She because of her gender. Ginsburg and the late Justice Antonin was appointed by Ronald Reagan in 1981 This did not hamper her pursuit for Scalia were actually very close. They and served until her retirement in 2006. success; in fact, it motivated her. Ginsburg traveled, shopped, and enjoyed holidays In her tenure as a Supreme Court Justice, is well known for her advocacy for gender together with their families and friends. O’Connor participated in many landmark equality. She served as the director of In 2010, when Justice Roberts announced decisions. the Women’s Rights Project of the ACLU Ginsburg’s husband’s death from the bench, Notable Opinion: In 1990, Texas where she argued successfully before the Scalia wiped tears from his eyes. Through planned for three additional and highly Supreme Court on gender equality. She their mutual respect for one another, they

4 challenged and motivated each other to be they started a conversation. The employee for juvenile homicide offenders. The Court better jurists. asked her, “are you here with the other lady?” reasoned that such a sentence does not to with Sotomayor replied “what other lady?” violate the Eighth Amendment for adults, Sonia Sotomayor The employee explained that Hillary Clinton but would be disproportionate for a child Biography Snapshot: Sonia Sotymayor was there for a book signing at the time, and and does not account for the “family and was born to parents of Puerto Rican descent Sotomayor had no idea! home environment” surrounding a child, in New York City. She was raised in a which “he cannot usually extricate himself – housing project in the Bronx. Her father Elena Kagan no matter how brutal or dysfunctional.” passed away when she was nine years old, Biography Snapshot: Elena Kagan was Famous Quote: “I’ve led a school whose and her mother raised Sonia and her siblings, born and raised in New York City. Growing faculty and students examine and discuss motivating them to excel in their education. up in New York City, she found herself and debate every aspect of our law and legal Sotomayor graduated summa cum laude interested in leadership and government. system. And what I’ve learned most is that from Princeton in 1976, and went on to She was president of the student government no one has a monopoly on truth or wisdom. graduate from Yale Law School. She became and served on various school committees. I’ve learned that we make progress by a District Attorney in Manhattan, eventually She attended Princeton University, where listening to each other, across every apparent entering private practice while doing pro she graduated summa cum laude, and political or ideological divide.” bono work for various legal agencies. She earned her master’s degree in philosophy Personal Note: Justice Kagan is a big has alto taught at the New York University from Worcester College in Oxford, England. comic book fan. In Kimble v. Marvel School of Law, and Columbia Law School. Kagan graduated from Harvard Law School. Entertainment, LLC, Kagan wrote for the Sotomayor was appointed to the After law school, Kagan gained majority in a decision that upheld prior U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals in extensive experience in the legal field. She precedent that a patentee cannot receive 1997. Barak Obama appointed her to the clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice royalty payments after the patent has expired. U.S. Supreme Court in 2009, following Thurgood Marshall, was a private practice Her opinion contains quirky Spider-Man the retirement of Justice Souter. Her attorney, taught at the University of Chicago and comic book references, such as “[p] appointment made her the first Latina Law School, served as Bill Clinton’s associate atents endow their holders with certain Supreme Court justice in United States counsel, and served as the dean of Harvard superpowers, but only for a limited time,” history. Law School until she was appointed by and that there is a “whole web of precedent” Notable Opinion: In Trump v. Hawaii, Barak Obama to serve as the first female on the topic. n the Supreme Court upheld Presidential solicitor general. In 2009 Obama nominated Proclamation 9645, which restricts travel Kagan to the Supreme Court, and she was 1. Jessica Campisi, Of the 113 Supreme Court justices in into the United States by people from confirmed by the Senate as Justice Stevens’ U.S. history, all but 6 have been white men, CNN, Sept. several nations or by refugees without valid replacement. 5, 2018, available at https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/09/ politics/supreme-court-justice-minorities-trnd/index.html. documentation. Sotomayor dissented from Notable Opinion: In Miller v. Alabama, 2. Bush v. Vera, 517 U.S. 952 (1996). 3. Staci D. Kramer, Enter O’Connor, Exit ‘Mr. Justice,’ the majority, delivering very strong words the Supreme Court held that mandatory N.Y. Times, Nov. 19, 1990. in her opinion about the constitutionality of sentences of life in prison without the 4. Brian P. Smentkowski & Aaron M. Houck, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, United States Jurist, Encyclopedia Britannica, the act. possibility of parole are unconstitutional for available at https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ruth- Specifically, she maintains that the juvenile offenders, as they violate the Eighth Bader-Ginsburg. 5. https://www.oyez.org/justices/ruth_bader_ginsburg. policy is a “total and complete shutdown and Fourteenth Amendments’ prohibition 6. United States v. Virginia, 518 U.S. 515 (1996). of Muslims entering the United States,” against cruel and unusual punishment. 7. When will there be enough women on the Supreme Court? Justice Ginsburg answers that question, PBS that “masquerades behind a façade of In this case, Defendant Miller, who was NewsHour, Feb. 5, 2015, available at https://www.pbs. national-security concerns.” She also fourteen years old at the time, and an org/newshour/show/justice-ginsburg-enough-women- supreme-court. confronts President Trump, stating that accomplice killed the decedent by beating 8. Trump v. Hawaii, 585 U.S. ____ (2018). 9. Id. the proclamation “does little to cleanse” him with a baseball bat and setting his 10. Id. the appearance of discrimination “that the trailer on fire. Defendant was transferred 11. Kainaz Amaria, As A Latina, Sonia Sotomayor Says, ‘You Have To Work Harder,” NPR, Jan. 13, 2014, President’s words have created.” from the juvenile court to the circuit court available at https://www.npr.org/2014/01/13/262067546/ Famous Quote: “In every position that to be tried as an adult for capital murder as-a-latina-sonia-sotomayor-says-you-have-to-work- harder. I’ve been in, there have been naysayers who during the course of an arson. Defendant 12. Miller v. Alabama, 567 U.S. 460 (2012). don’t believe I’m qualified or who don’t was sentenced to a mandatory term of life in 13. Id. 14. Transcript: Kagan’s Opening Statement, NPR, June believe I can do the work. And I feel a prison without the possibility of parole. The 28, 2010, available at https://www.npr.org/templates/ story/story.php?storyId=128171860. special responsibility to prove them wrong.” case made its way through the appeal process 15. Kimble v. Marvel Entertainment, LLC, 135 S. Ct. Personal Note: In 2014, Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. 2401 (2015). coincidentally appeared at a Hillary Clinton The Court, with Justice Kagan writing 16. Id.. book signing, while she was stopping at the for the majority, found that the Eighth Costco in Arlington, Virginia. An employee Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and at the pharmacy recognized Sotomayor and unusual punishment forbids such a sentence

5 The Catalyst ▼ DECEMBER 2018 / VOL 24 / NO. 2 Spotlight on Renea Amen

BY ERIN M. WILSON

Renea is new to our WATL Committee level. I also practice family law, limited to that they sacrificed for me to be where am I this year. She and her partner opened Bur- representing fathers. am makes me truly understand the value of Men Law Group in 2016 where they focus Why do you only represent fathers in family. on criminal defense. family law? What is the message you want to convey Why did you want to get involved in I saw what my father went through to your daughters? WATL? to have a relationship with me and my When others say you cannot, you I wanted to be more active in the legal husband’s court case with my 16 year-old definitely can. When it seems as though community and I believe in women’s issues, stepson. I believe that women have a lot you’re at your lowest, you can pull yourself so I saw this as a great committee to bridge of resources at their disposal whereas men up. You can do whatever you want, you just the two. either don’t or are looked down upon when cannot give up, that is not an option. What women’s issues are most they seek our help, so I want to harder for What does balancing it all mean to you? important to you? fathers that need the help. Making sure that my family is taken Sex trafficking, young girls being sexually Tell me about your family. care of first, and the other things can be assaulted, and equity in the workplace – in I have 4 kids: a 21 year-old daughter, delegated. I can delegate cooking, cleaning. terms of women being able to move up the almost 16 year-old son, 14 year-old son, and Being with my family, having peace of mind, ladder and move laterally. a 10 year-old daughter. I’ve been married making sure we’re okay - that is the number What are you enjoying most about for 12 ½ years. one priority and then everything else will WATL? I consider my business my family’s, and fall into place. The issues we stand for and the a part of our family legacy. My husband and What do you do for fun? comradery. I like to see everyone problem children have given up so much for me to Hang out with kids & shop—alone. My solving together. It is perceived that women complete this journey, so we all celebrate favorite place is the Mag Mile. n won’t help each other, and that’s a myth, and my accomplishments. We became so close this committee busts that myth. while I was going through law school and What’s your practice area? opening the firm. They are my backbone Criminal defense on a state and federal through all of this. Thinking of all the things Women rule the legal Good news profession in Cuba column BY ELIZABETH REYNOLDS • The Honorable Judge Patricia Ball- Reed is now a proud grandparent For nine wonderful days in June, I the most unique study abroad programs in of four grandchildren, having had the distinct privilege of traveling to the country. This program is a three-credit welcomed three new grandchildren Cuba with several other law students class called “Legal Globalization: Cuba” this year. from Southern Illinois University (SIU) that meets daily during the early-summer • Maria M. L. Schwartz has accepted School of Law and our acting associate intersession and concludes with a nine-day an associate position at Levin dean at the time, now Interim Dean Cindy educational tour of Cuba. As if merely Schreder & Carey. Galway Buys. Being allowed to travel to going to Cuba was not exciting enough, • Jessica Marshall welcomed a a country I have only been able to dream the trip was tailored to the interests and healthy baby girl in August of this about going to was certainly the trip of a education of law students. We had three year. n lifetime. Little did I know when I enrolled lengthy sessions, each in a different region at SIU Law that the school boasts one of Continued on next page

6 of Cuba, where we were invited to attend legal entities. In particular, they work with government’s emphasis on gender equality, presentations on the Cuban legal system documents and contracts, mainly certifying which was an initiative of Fidel Castro and given by Cuban lawyers themselves. While those documents. Notarios work to fulfill his regime. each of the presentations was truly an the will of the parties involved and they One of Fidel Castro’s social initiatives invaluable learning experience, the one serve as advisors, thoroughly explaining for the Cuban people was to balance out the presentation that my group found to be the legal matters to those they assist. Once an gender inequalities that existed in Cuba at most fascinating was the one we attended agreement is in place, the notarios and their the time of the 1959 revolution. Fidel and in Cienfuegos that covered the roles of staff will draft a document for the parties his political colleagues were outraged at the notaries, lawyers, and particularly women to sign that reflects what they have agreed way in which women were being treated as in the Cuban legal system. to. Notarios will go through the document sexual objects in Havana during the years Cienfuegos is a beautiful bay with both parties, explaining each of debauchery that occurred in the first half city on Cuba’s south coast that happens provision to ensure the parties know what of the twentieth century. He advocated that to be known for its majestically historic, they are agreeing to. The notario will then gender equality would be better not just for colonial-era buildings. It is in central Cuba, have the parties sign the document, the Cubans, but for society as a whole. Fidel a few hours driving time south from the notario will place a seal on it, and will file launched a campaign to promote social Cuban capital of Havana. Cienfuegos’s it in court. Notarios also have the unique cohesion which would also allow him to features include cobblestone streets along job of securing the land by certificate and further his socialist agenda. In doing so, he with a quintessential town square situated then filing it with the registration office. fought against the mistreatment of women, in the center of the city. Amidst all these Cubans recently gained the right to legally promoted gender equality and an end to visual reminders of its rich history, daily buy and sell real property outright and this racism. His plan worked and while Cubans life in Cuba is not much different than creates a greater need for the drafting of are aware of their different skin tones contemporary life in the US. Cubans deal legal contracts. Due to the recent change and genders, they embrace each other as with many of the same legal problems that in property ownership laws, notarios are in brothers and sisters and work together for Americans and others around the world high demand in Cuba more now than ever. a better life. face daily. What is uniquely Cuban is the One major difference between the Now after two generations of way in which Cubans deal with and resolve legal systems in Cuba and the U.S. is who government-promoted gender equality, their legal problems. actually deals with and resolves the legal the number of women in the fields of Unlike the U.S., Cuba uses a issues that arise. In the U.S. where men engineering are nearing that of men. combination of mainly Spanish and some have traditionally dominated the legal Additionally, Cubans firmly believe that influences of Roman law to a much lesser profession and the stereotypical lawyer treating women equally and with respect degree. Cuban law is effectuated by judges is a mature man with grey hair, glasses, a is a moral and social obligation that will and lawyers and unique to the Cuban suit and tie, carrying a briefcase, in Cuba improve life for future generations. Sexual judicial system is its use of “notarios.” the stereotypical lawyer is a woman with violence and discrimination affect women Don’t be misled by the term “notario” long hair, wearing a dress and heels, and but they also causes minors, such as because it is a false cognate and wrong to carrying a purse. Seventy-percent of all children, to suffer greatly. Young people assume that it means the same as notary or attorneys and judges in Cuba are women. often carry these resulting negative feelings paralegal. A U.S. notary has a completely The overwhelming majority of notarios throughout their life and often suppress different job than a Cuban notario does. in Cuba are women. For example, there these painful memories. Typically, as To become a notario, you must meet the is one male notario in the entire province they grow up, memories of violence and following four criteria: must be a Cuban, where Cienfuegos is located. The women discrimination towards women manifest must be a lawyer, must be appointed, and lawyers we spoke to were quick to point themselves in the form of bad behavior that must pass the certification test with a out that the legal sector is not the only these growing children typically display score of eighty points or higher. The city field of work in which woman dominate towards others. This eventually leads to a of Cienfuegos has eight municipalities in Cuba. The Cuban health care industry breakdown of society. To further build up and each one has between one to three and educational fields are predominantly a healthy and functional society, Cubans notarios. The main difference between female. Cubans believe that one reason for believe that treating women with kindness, attorneys and notatios is that attorneys this is because women are more sensitive respect and equality are paramount. represent one party and notarios work with to the needs of others and better suited for Women do the majority of child rearing. both parties to ensure that they understand work in the public sector. Another reason When women are treated well, they are the transaction. Notarios specifically deal for the overwhelming majority of women better mothers and better mothers raise with laws relating to natural persons and in public service is a result of the Cuban happy and emotionally balanced children

7 The Catalyst ▼ DECEMBER 2018 / VOL 24 / NO. 2

who will grow up to be good people, good When we can accept our differences discrimination. n parents and good citizens. This cycle and engage in a meaningful dialogue, and the belief of paying it forward for the the possibility to learn from each other Elizabeth Reynolds is a second year law student at Southern Illinois School of Law. She is the proud betterment of society is very important to exists. This is when change for the better mother of two loving and supportive children, Cubans and it shows in the way the women is possible. Historically, American women Frankie and Ceci. She would like to thank Dean described their high level of satisfaction in the legal profession have struggled with Cindy Buys for the making the SIU Law Cuba trip with their overall lives in Cuba. discrimination and equality because law is possible and for being the type of leader that so many of the women at the law school admire. Despite the history of tumultuous a male-dominated field. This struggle does relations that exist between the United not need to continue and we can learn from States and Cuba, we must remember that our neighbor 90 miles to the south that life we are neighbors and we share the most for women in the legal field can improve fundamental element of being human. if everyone is committed to ending sexual

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