CBA Record March-April 2021

to drive long-haul rigs. She ultimately became a certified government carrier and spent about half of her trucking years moving loads escorted by armed federal marshals. She was firearm certified and moved unique loads, such as damaged currency for destruction, families in the government witness protection program, and, in some cases, only the marshal in the car in front of her knew what was in her trailer. I was riveted by my friend’s account of his larger-than-life mom. I’m sure he’s celebrating her memory for Women’s His- tory Month. I’m celebrating it, too. Another friend celebrated his mother’s 80th birthday by sharing how monumen- tally influential she had been on his and his brother’s lives. He thanked his mother for always being present “…and giving us unconditional love in good times and in many challenging times. I could not have asked for a better mother and friend. You taught us many things—to take care of and to be loyal to your family and friends, to work hard to ‘always please the customer,’ to help and to be kind to those in need, and to always make friends rather than enemies.” I have heard this friend speak about his mother’s impact on him, with such a light in his eye and deep fondness in his voice, that I am convinced if asked who ranks among his sheroes, he would list his mother. I imagine he is celebrating her impact on his life this month. I am

celebrating it, too. A magnanimous woman at the top of my personal list is Farris G. Mosely, my 11th grade arts teacher. She would remain after school for several hours a day, helping me practice speeches for oratorical contests. At the time, I did not know that she had elementary-aged children at home or that she lived 50 minutes away from my high school. I was selected to deliver a speech at the University of Louisville Arena my senior year. The school board paid for Mrs. Mosely to be there. As I delivered an address that she had helped me practice for weeks, to that packed stadium, I will never forget Mrs. Mosely sitting in the first row, right in front of the podium. She smiled broadly up at me with her salt and pepper hair and black horned-rimmed glasses with the pride of a mother. Although my mother had passed on by then, during the 15 minutes I delivered my address, I did not feel motherless. Mrs. Mosely taught me the art of voice modulation, tripling, and cadence. Skills that served me well in opening and closing statements as an Assistant Public Defender and an Assistant State’s Attorney. I am celebrating Mrs. Mosely this Woman’s History Month. I hope you spend this time reflecting on the great historical women of your lives and those great women from your personal life, who are historic to you. Happy Women’s History Month!

CBA President Maryam Ahmad has received recognition from the National Council of Bar Presidents for outstand- ing writing of a President’s Page in a bar journal for her November/Decem- ber 2020 column, “Reflecting on Lives Our National Has Lost.” You can read the column in the past issues section at www.chicagobar.org/chicagobar/ record.

At a free public webinar on January 29, CBA President MaryamAhmad talked property taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. If you missed the live program, you can watch the free on demand recording at www.chicagobar.org/chicagobar/ publicED.

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