MRWBA Public Position
on Racial Injustice

             As a community of lawyers, we understand that equality is a basic right promised under the laws of our country. However, as has been highlighted by recent events, our country is failing to deliver on that promise to many of its citizens. The inherent bias and systemic racism within our justice system must be eradicated. Accomplishing that requires us all to take action to challenge racial injustice in our professional and private lives. The MRWBA stands with the Black community and those fighting to end racial injustice. We vow to do our part in effecting change for the betterment of our community as a whole.

             Our organization was created to provide a space for women attorneys to cultivate professional and personal relationships because traditional bar associations were not inclusive. However, our goal of inclusiveness has fallen short with regard to the racial diversity of our membership. For that reason, we are today declaring our commitment to take the steps necessary to ensure racial diversity and inclusivity in our ranks. Our organization is undertaking a strategic planning process beginning this summer and continuing throughout the upcoming bar year that will focus in part on identifying and incorporating strategies to increase the racial diversity of our membership. The MRWBA strives to be an organization that is a safe haven and place of inclusivity. Let us return to our roots and truly be that place.

             We ask for your support in identifying ways to make our organization more diverse, and our community more equal. It is time for us to roll up our sleeves and do the work of learning and understanding the history, experience and plight of Black people in our country and it is long past time for us to demand change. As an organization, we must do better for the membership we serve, and as a group of high achieving women lawyers, each one of us must embrace our individual responsibility to bring about racial equality in our community.