Each fall, the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia (WBA) comes together for Stars of the Bar, a free networking event that kicks off the WBA's programming year. The WBA's typical in-person event brings together hundreds of leaders in the DC legal community—women and men alike—who gather to network with each other and the WBA leadership to learn more about the WBA. Of course, this year the WBA is unable to host Stars of the Bar in person, and instead will be hosting a virtual, online event. With this year’s virtual event, we expect an increase in numbers and greater geographic reach, as we bring the networking and comradery to which we all look forward to Zoom.
 
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, the WBA will honor champions in the fight for women’s voting rights throughout history. We recognize that women's suffrage was not fully realized when the 19th Amendment was passed. The voting rights of Black women were not protected until the passage of the Voting Rights Act. But even the promise of the Voting Rights Act has not been fully realized. And today returning and reintegrating citizens and District residents, among others, still face challenges exercising the right to vote.
 
This year's Stars of the Bar will recognize the tireless efforts in advancing suffrage and voting rights for all. This year’s Stars of the Bar are:

• Belva Ann Lockwood (posthumously), accepted by Dr. Jill Norgren, Professor Emeritas at John Jay College and the University Graduate Center, The City University of New York and biographer of Belva Ann Lockwood;
• Congressman John Lewis (posthumously), accepted by his brother, Grant Lewis; and
• Kristen Clarke, President of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

We will also present the Mussey-Gillett Shining Star Award to Janine Herring.
 
Consistent with this Bar year’s theme, The Importance of Allies and Friends, the program will feature a presentation chronicling 100 years in the fight for equal voting rights for all women, including brief remarks from our honorees (or their representatives) and a discussion of the work yet to be done to secure full voting rights and access for all. 

The presentation and awards ceremony will be followed by breakout networking sessions, in which attendees can learn more about the WBA’s various committees and forums, and will have the opportunity to network with other attendees.

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. Once you register you will receive the Zoom access information.

The WBA is a nonpartisan organization. The opinions and positions expressed by any program speaker are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the WBA.

Registration or participation in events and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to WBA's use and distribution of the registrant or attendee's image in photographs of such events. 

The WBA regularly hosts programs for the education and enjoyment of its members and guests. The WBA is committed to ensuring that its employees, members, and guests are able to conduct their activities free from harassment or intimidation. The WBA, in its sole discretion, therefore reserves the right to deny access or to remove any attendee.