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As we celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage this month, let’s remember to celebrate our own AAPI members, who have paved the path by shattering glass ceilings.
As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander history this month, let’s celebrate the first female Asian American who became a lawyer in the United States in June of 1937: Elizabeth Kuma Ohi. A Japanese American and Chicago native, Ohi was born on February 9, 1911. She graduated valedictorian from Pullman Free School of Manual Training and attended local universities in Chicago. She earned her law degree from John Marshall Law School, where she graduated first out of a class of 41 students.
The promise of this America, one where I can be myself, where my bravery is rewarded rather than punished, where Black men and women feel protected by the justice system and can pursue any dream they have, where women are allowed to be powerful and in control, moved me to tears.
This Black History month I introduced you to Charlotte E. Ray – the first African American lawyer in the United States; Judge Jane Bolin – the first female African American judge in the United States; and Barbara Jordan – the first African American women from a Southern state to serve in the U.S House of Representatives. Each of these women attained recognized excellence in their field by fully pursuing their passions and interests.
What are you?” A question I constantly have tried to find a correct answer to growing up. My appearance next to my Caucasian mother would often collect second glances from others in the grocery store, at restaurants, or even school events. Once, I had a doctor who apparently did not read my chart before coming in the room, who suggested a course of action he thought best for “Hispanic women.” I should clarify, I am a half-Caucasian and half-African American woman. This is why, on November 7, I ugly cried as Kamala Harris was confirmed as the first female to be elected vice-president—a woman of color elected to the second-highest office in the nation.
On November 7, 2020 history was made when a woman was elected vice president of the United States. This historic moment comes on the heels of the appointment of the fifth woman to the U.S. Supreme Court, Justice Amy Coney Barrett. In 1789, the first Vice President was a man, followed by 47 more men. That homogenous representation has now ended. The 48th will be a woman: U.S. Senator and Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris.
In recent years the concepts of diversity and inclusion have been popping up like mushrooms as new concepts despite being first recorded in the United States in the 13th and 15th century, respectively. These concepts, however, continue to move at a snail’s pace in all aspects of our society. Consequently, people of color are under-represented across many aspects of our society including the legal community. This is troubling.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared September 15 to October 15, 2020 Latino Heritage month because 15 million Latinos call California home. Newsom noted that “Latino Californians have borne a particularly heavy burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. The overwhelming number of Latinos who work on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 risk increased exposure to the virus. Coupled with generational health disparities, Latino Californians have faced devastating, disproportionate impacts due to this disease. This Latino Heritage Month, we soberly acknowledge these harms stemming from social and racial inequities and continue our commitment to tackling these disparities during this unprecedented health and economic crisis and beyond.”
It was a crisp Sunday afternoon in Coronado. Everyone was dressed in their “Sunday best” like we’d just sang “Hallelujah” hours earlier. Only, it wasn’t church. It was one of the first Women of Color in Law lunches.
It is no secret that law firms have struggled with achieving and maintaining a diverse workforce. And, while law firms have made leaps and bounds in recruiting diverse candidates, the unfortunate fact remains that women lawyers and lawyers of color have the highest rates of attrition in the profession. In fact, a recent study revealed that the number of minority women lawyers who leave their law firms has steadily risen in the last decade. Minority women made up one-third of all associates who left their law firms in 2017. These statistics are startling and indicate that there is still work to be done within the profession. But what can we, as members of Lawyers Club of San Diego, do to help facilitate this important work?
