OWLS Fall CLE on Exploitation of Women 1989 -2014 by Teresa Statler N October 18 at the Benson Hotel President Oin Portland, OWLS Kathleen J
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Published Quarterly by Oregon Women Lawyers Volume 25, No. 1 Winter 2014 25 years of breaking barriers OWLS Fall CLE on Exploitation of Women 1989 -2014 By Teresa Statler n October 18 at the Benson Hotel President Oin Portland, OWLS Kathleen J. Rastetter presented its Fall CLE, Vice President, President-Elect “Exploitation of Women Kendra Matthews at Home and Abroad.” Secretary The keynote speaker Elizabeth Tedesco Milesnick was Sheryl WuDunn, a Treasurer Pulitzer-Prize winner and Laura Craska Cooper co-author of the book Historian Half the Sky: Turning Op- Angela Franco Lucero pression into Opportunity Board Members Hon. Allison Boomer for Women Worldwide. Hon. Frances Burge WuDunn, who wrote the Megan Burgess book with her husband, Maya Crawford Dana Forman New York Times journal- Amber Hollister ist and Oregon native Photo by Diana Dettwyler @ Parker Logan Media Kristina Holm Nicholas Kristof, told the Sheryl WuDunn at the 2013 OWLS Fall CLE Susan Krant Kate Lozano audience of 200 that gen- Banafsheh Violet Nazari der inequity is the moral challenge of our century. After WuDunn offered a global perspective, an Jennifer Nicholls In a 45-minute presentation, which was fol- informative panel made up of three profession- Hon. Julia Philbrook Hon. Jill Tanner lowed by questions and answers, WuDunn ex- als who work in the Portland area with victims Val Tomasi panded on the stories of women contained in of human trafficking and sex crimes presented Gloria Trainor her best-selling book and discussed international a local perspective. J.R. Ujifusa, a deputy district Hon. Youlee You sex trafficking, maternal mortality, and education attorney for Multnomah County, is part of the Past Presidents Megan Livermore for women and girls in developing countries. She Human Trafficking Unit in the DA’s office. He told Heather L. Weigler noted that 60 to 100 million females are missing attendees that combatting the sex trafficking of Concetta Schwesinger in the world’s population due to maternal mortal- women and girls involves both a complex investi- Gwyneth McAlpine Heather Van Meter ity and deaths resulting from the malnutrition gation and a complex prosecution. Unfortunately, Laura Caldera Taylor of girls. In some countries like Ethiopia, she said, sex trafficking is increasing because perpetrators Kellie Johnson “girls get whatever food is leftover” after their believe, according to Ujifusa, that it is a low-risk Norma S. Freitas Kate A. Wilkinson fathers and brothers eat. Likewise, “what chro- crime without much of an “up front” cost. Ujifusa Jennifer K. De Wald mosomes you have determines how far you’ll go discussed the great demand in Portland for sex, Sarah J. Crooks in school,” WuDunn told the audience. how young women and girls are groomed by sex Elizabeth Schwartz Lori E. Deveny In addition to sobering statistics and informa- traffickers, and the fact that Portland has been Debra Pilcher Velure tion, WuDunn provided examples of positive a national leader in the prosecution of sex traf- Marilyn E. Litzenberger ficking crimes, in both state and federal courts. Teresa M. Kraemer changes that happen in families and in com- Patricia L. Heatherman munities when girls are educated. If women are Ujifusa was followed by Lena Sinha, who Julie Levie Caron allowed to have productive roles in a country’s counsels victims of sex trafficking at the non- Phylis Chadwell Myles Helle Rode society, she said, the country’s economy is stron- profit SARC, the Sexual Assault Resource Center. Diana Craine ger. WuDunn reminded her audience that as Sinha told the audience about the six different Kathryn M. Ricciardelli American women, “we have won the lottery of programs SARC has to educate and prevent Agnes Sowle Katherine H. O’Neil life” because we live in a land where women are sexual violence in the community. She mentioned valued. Her presentation included a multi-media that Portland is an especially attractive area Executive Director Linda Tomassi, 503.595.7831 segment, and her book, with an autographed for sex traffickers due to the large street youth [email protected] bookplate, was available for purchase at the population, a “tolerant population,” and its Editor: Elise Gautier event. easy access to the I-5 corridor. SARC’s programs [email protected] www.oregonwomenlawyers.org Continued on page 14 OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 1 WINTER 2014 President’s Message Upcoming ome of placing stenographers in the classroom OWLS Events us re- to guard against grading bias, since class member participation was a large portion of the Winter Networking Event S Thursday, Feb. 13, 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. life before Ti- grade. Private coaching was provided to No cost. No RSVP necessary. tle IX, the act untenured professors. One of the goals Expand Your Network with OWLS, that created of the program is to foster changes that the Oregon Bankers Association, parity in sports will affect companies populated by Har- and the Oregon Society of CPAs. for women. vard alumni and propel women into the Hotel Monaco Before Title IX, Fortune 500 companies, where only 21 506 SW Washington St., Portland women were chief executives are women. “I Always Feel Like Somebody’s denied the As a result of the efforts, women’s class Kathleen Rastetter Watching Me: Positive Paranoia in opportunity participation rose, women won more Light of Target’s Privacy Fiasco” to learn the awards, and the overall environment at Featuring Tatiana Perry, Tonkin Torp lessons taught to boys and men who HBS improved for women. The experi- Tatiana will discuss critical informa- play sports: the value of teamwork, the ment was not without critics, including tion surrounding privacy and security pursuit of a goal outside of yourself, and some who questioned whether the issues of concern to lawyers, bankers, leadership skills. Title IX allowed girls and HBS environment adequately prepared and CPAs. You may have your client’s women to develop expertise in these women for the reality of the world that best interests in mind, but many in the areas, which benefits them in all aspects they were about to enter (which in itself world do not. Come learn strategies for of their lives. illustrates problems with the way Ameri- protecting your clients and yourself. When I clerked for a federal judge after can business is structured). Most, how- Heavy hors d’oeuvres and no-host bar. Bring your business cards and a law school, we handled a Title VII lawsuit ever, found the experiment worthwhile, colleague or friend for this intra-pro- filed by a former student against Princ- since it eliminated the female student’s fessional networking event. Men are eton and one of its eating clubs (which choice between achieving academic or welcome at OWLS events. Join us. are, in effect, fraternities). Her lawsuit social success. alleged that as a woman denied entry Like sports before Title IX, social net- OAAP-OWLS into the club, she was denied the op- works that exclude women or minorities portunities that were available to men. It teach only one segment of our society Women’s Wellness Retreat was well documented in the lawsuit that how to build the skills and develop rela- Friday and Saturday, May 2–3 men gained valuable contacts, mentoring tionships that lead to success. Specialty Oregon Garden Resort, Silverton The Oregon Attorney Assistance opportunities, and job assistance through bar organizations like OWLS provide Program and Oregon Women Law- membership in these clubs, all of which mentoring and assistance to its members yers invite you to save the date for were denied to women. The case settled to help them navigate the social struc- the seventh annual Women’s Well- after my judge denied the school’s sum- tures within which we must all operate ness Retreat for Lawyers. CLE credits, mary judgment motion. Later these clubs to achieve success in our careers. Your spa treatments, swimming, soaking, opened their doors to women. This case participation in these organizations in- and more. Relax, restore, and social- was one of my first real-life examples of creases our ability to offer law students ize with other women in the law. how the law can help a group achieve and lawyers a wide variety of experiences, Contact Shari Gregory at sharig@ social justice. and it strengthens our social relation- oaap.org for more information. Lest you think inequities are a thing ships. Join our “team” and help us foster of the past, The New York Times recently the next generation of successful women MLLS Monte Carlo Casino Night published an article about an experiment and minority lawyers. Friday, May 16 at the Harvard Business School (HBS). Creekside Golf Club, Salem Unhappy with the lower grades and The Mary Leonard Law Society (MLLS) professors’ scores given to its female will again host a casino night for its students, HBS changed its curriculum, spring charity event. Guests will enjoy rules, and social rituals to foster female Kathleen Rastetter wine and beer from local producers and success. Some of the changes included President, Oregon Women Lawyers hors d’oeuvres while trying their hands at craps, roulette, poker, and blackjack. Community supporters will provide a For more information about OWLS activities, chapters, and wide array of silent-auction items, and representatives of our featured charity volunteer opportunities, visit www.oregonwomenlawyers.org. will be on hand to talk about their important work. Mark your calendars! Our mission is to transform the practice of law and ensure justice and equality by advancing women and minorities in the legal profession. OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 2 WINTER 2014 OWLS Coffee Creek Book Drive: March 3–March 17 oin OWLS for our book drive to literature. Some are barely literate, others have broken spines.