By Diana George
The Association honored several members of the legal community with awards during the 2024 Summer Quarterly held at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania on June 20, 2024. The event also featured a panel of women leaders in the Commonwealth discussing their career paths and the lessons they have learned along the way and the Hon. A. Leon Higginbotham lecture by Pennsyvlania Speaker of the House Rep. Joanna McClinton.
The Philadelphia Bar Association's Women in the Profession Committee Chairs Kristine Calalang, Gabi Outlaw, and Patti Santelle awarded Danielle Banks, partner at Stradley Ronon and the Association’s 2024 Diversity Chair, with the 2024 Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Award, which recognizes an outstanding woman attorney who exemplifies the qualities that Justice O’Connor has demonstrated in her life and work. In addition to her work for the Association, Banks has served on several nonprofit boards, including as president of the board of directors of Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, and serving on the board of directors of the SeniorLAW Center. She has also served as co-president of the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group and is currently a member of the board of directors.
"This award is about all the people in this room and all the people I've had the pleasure of knowing and growing with for 31 years," Banks said. "To the women who received this award before me, women of consequence by any measure, many of whom who have impacted me directly – Bobbi Liebenberg. Stella Tsai, Joanne Epps, Stephanie Resnick, Judge Rufe – you are all spectacular and I have had the honor of watching you all in your careers and you have inspired me to be better."
The Association's LGBT Rights Committee Chairs Krystal Kane and Kevin Levy awarded Stephanie Haynes, recently retired executive director of Philadelphia Family Pride, with the 2024 Cheryl Ingram Advocate for Justice Award, which recognizes substantive contributions to the LGBTQ community in Philadelphia. In her 15 years at Philadelphia Family Pride, Haynes expanded the organization’s reach as an educational resource for prospective parents; ran programs that provide critical support and a sense of community to LGBTQ families in the city, and had the organization become involved in legislation that impacts LGBTQ families.
"Keep showing up. And show up again. Then show up again year after year. I'd like to thank the dozens of volunteers and board members of Philly Family Pride who did show up and worked tirelessly to support our families," Haynes said. "I'd like to thank my wife who picked up the parenting slack and made my contributions to the LGBT+ community possible as I was out at events and meetings."
The event also recognized Philadelphia area law students who received the 2024 Eve Biskind Klothen Pro Bono Distinction award, recognizing outstanding public service efforts during their time in law school:
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Rutgers Law School
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Thomas Boisvert
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Chakeema Cruickshank
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Rachel Tavani
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Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law
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Hector Brandt
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Joan Fernandez
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Emma Weise
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Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
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Tatyanah Brehouse
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Amirah Brew-Syders
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Corey Fedorowich
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University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
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Catherine Dema
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Meagan Murray
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Brian Thomas
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Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
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Anderson Amaya
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Victoria Bouve
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Humna Rub
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Widener University Delaware Law School
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Samuel Cholden
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Tahmina Chowdhury
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Alexa Hill
