The Philadelphia Bar Association held its Summer Quarterly: Advancing Justice – Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act on Wednesday, June 25 at the Independence Visitor Center. The event included a keynote address by Akhil Reed Amar, Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University and author of several books including the forthcoming Born Equal: Remaking America’s Constitution, 1840–1920.
Amar discussed the past, present and future of voting access in America. His remarks were followed by a panel discussion featuring Marian Schneider, former Senior Policy Counsel at the ACLU, and Salewa Ogunmefun, executive director, PA Voice. The panel discussion was moderated by Benjamin Geffen, senior attorney at The Public Interest Law Center.
The event also included presentation of the 2025 Cheryl Ingram Advocate for Justice Award, which individuals who have made substantive contributions to the LGBTQ+ community in Philadelphia. The 2025 recipients are Megan Watson, partner at BKW Family Law, and Victoria Sirois, founder of Asylum Pride House.
Watson was honored for being a longtime advocate of the LGBTQ+ community and LGBTQ+ children and families, including her work representing the prevailing party in Glover v. Junior. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s recent decision in the case adopted the intent-based parentage doctrine in the Commonwealth, expanding the legal definition of parenthood.
Sirois founded Asylum Pride House in 2022. The organization provides housing and other resources to LGBTQ+ asylum seekers in Philadelphia, working closely with local and national organizations. Asylum Pride House’s current program runs out of a five-bedroom apartment in West Philadelphia and offers long term housing solely to LGBTQ+ asylum seekers.
The program also honored the law students receiving the 2025 Eve Biskind Klothen Pro Bono Service Award and recognized Association Executive Director Harvey Hurdle, who retired on July 3.
View photos from the event.
