The Oklahoma Bar Journal September 2024

helped to challenge discrimina tory practices and opened doors for women in many fields, includ ing the legal profession. Throughout this period, notable female legal figures emerged who made substantial contributions to the field. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1993, is a prime example. Her career, which began with her work as an advocate for gender equality, significantly influenced legal thought and practice. If you haven’t read the book Dinners with Ruth by NPR correspondent Nina Totenberg, 2 I highly recommend and encourage you to read it. I finished it on a sin gle Saturday afternoon. The history of women in law is a testament to their persever ance and the gradual evolution of societal attitudes toward gender roles. From the early pioneers who broke barriers to the contemporary trailblazers shaping the future of legal practice, women have signifi cantly impacted the legal profes sion. Our ongoing efforts continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations. I am honored to be a mem ber of this groundbreaking group. Challenging the norms

of longstanding tradition is no easy feat. In fact, as my years as a lawyer grow, I am always thrilled to see more and more women take on prominent roles in the legal community. Within our own association, I am impressed daily by our peers. We have amazing woman lawyer representation and leadership in our courts, our Board of Governors and Young Lawyers Division. I hope that this small trip down memory lane continues to inspire women to enter the practice of law. Becoming a change agent is not easy, but the reward can be immeasurable.

To contact Executive Director Johnson, email her at janetj@okbar.org.

ENDNOTES

1. https://bit.ly/3SS40nC. 2. https://amzn.to/3AtPkVg.

SEPTEMBER 2024 | 77

THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL