Teen Court tells Herstory

There was no denying that women in the field of law had made great strides in the last six decades at the Teen Court of Sarasota Making Herstory panel at the Hyatt Regency, Sarasota on March 29. 

"I have the good fortune of spending time with women who grew up in the 1960s," keynote speaker Nora Demleitner said. 

Demleitner, professor of law at Washington and Lee University School of Law and former Dean of Hofstra University School of Law, noted that women now make up a significant portion of law students and the outright sexism indicative of of that era has dissipated. 

But her message wasn't entirely positive. 

Although women have broken many glass ceilings in the field of law, Demleitner said the wage gap continues to be an issue for female lawyers as well as a decreased likelihood of making partner than their male counterparts. 

Yet, Demleitner noted there was hope. Looking out into the ballroom Demleitner saw the faces of several women, anxious to pursue a career as a lawyer, who she encouraged to persist. 

"Come prepared," she told them. "Make wise choices."

She told them to find good mentors, whether they be male or female, and to be ready when the time comes to return the favor. But above all, Demleitner encouraged them to find their passion. She recalled some advice she had once been given. 

"Without passion others will always out work you," she said. "They will always out do you."

Demleitner also had advice for the men in the room, who she said have equal stake in conversation for gender equality. 

"I ask all of us to tell these tasks for the sake of the young women and girls in this room and beyond," Demleitner said.