Here I am, five weeks away from exams and the end of my 1L year.  I’m having trouble getting motivated to do all of the work I know I should be doing.  I’m behind on my outlines, and I haven’t done enough studying to prepare for the exams that will be here before I know it.  I’m not a slacker, but it’s hard to find the energy to do much more than get my reading done for class at this point.  Working full time and going to class part time can be draining. 

Sometimes it helps to put it all in perspective – the Ohio Women’s Bar Association worked on a project that focused on Ohio’s first women attorneys.  During their research, they came across a document entitled The Law Student’s Helper, which told the stories of some of the first women admitted to practice law in various states.  Mrs. Josephine Moody Luthe was admitted to the Colorado bar in 1891.  Her first appearance in Court is described in detail: “Mrs. Luthe appeared to good advantage in a closely fitting gown of dark green and a jaunty hat, not made ridiculous by tufts of feathers and impossible flowers…having first taken off her hat, disclosing a glorious supply of auburn hair…”  Her ability to represent her client is mentioned: “it was evident she had full command of the situation…” and she reminded the jury that “youth and poverty were never crimes, and that nothing else had been proved against the prisoner at the bar.”  Autumn 2007 Edition, OWBA newsletter, http://owba.org/newsletters/  

Many women before me have paved the way so that I can attend law school and be admitted to the Bar based on my skill and my character.  My first appearance in court won’t be scrutinized more for what I am wearing than it is for how I represent my client.  My struggles are small in comparison to what women endured to become attorneys more than 100 years ago. 

I am fully aware that women attorneys still aren't always treated with the respect they deserve.  Is there still room for improvement in the way women are treated in the profession?  Sure.  But I can take this opportunity that I have and run with it.  Time to work on my outlines!