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On behalf of Ms. JD and its Board of Directors, we are deeply saddened and concerned by the recent gun violence across this nation. These senseless acts of violence beg the question: how do we unite this nation to see all people as human beings, not threats? Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, the Dallas police officers, and to all others who have lost loved ones to gun violence. This significant issue has sparked protests and demonstrations by people and organizations across the world that share our concerns. And so, we stand in solidarity with those fighting to end the overall violence and injustices within our communities.

In every movement, women have stood at the forefront as allies in serving this nation to advance social policies. Certainly, this deserves our attention. As women have stepped up before us, Ms. JD will not sit silent and bear witness to the violence plaguing our cities and communities. We call for change to the negative conditions that persist throughout this country and abroad. Indeed, by raising awareness around these conditions change can and will be effectuated. The fight for this change, however, does not end here. 

Ms. JD is actively pursuing opportunities to get the Ms. JD community engaged in dialogue around these issues because we earnestly believe that at the intersection of gender, race and law, we can find peace. In what now seems like a hopeless and helpless moment we believe that the future can be better than the past. 

Here are some ways you can get involved and stay on top of the issues:

• Have open conversations with colleagues and friends about the recent events;
• Attend a peaceful protest or demonstration in your local community;
• Provide pro bono legal assistance;
• Write about what you are experiencing on the Ms. JD Blog to openly engage in respectful and productive conversation with one another, or other social media platforms; and/or
• Seek self-care when things become emotionally and mentally overwhelming.

With Ms. JD Love,

Raychelle A. Tasher, President, Ms. JD

Email: President@ms-jd.org

Ms. JD is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to the success of aspiring and early career women lawyers. Ms. JD is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of law students and legal professionals. Founded at Stanford Law School in 2006 by a group of female law students from Boalt Hall (UC Berkeley), Cornell, Georgetown, Harvard, NYU, Stanford, UCLA, UT Austin, the University of Chicago, the University of Michigan, the University of Virginia, and Yale, Ms. JD is a 501(c)(3) incorporated in California. Serving as a unique nexus between the profession and the pipeline of diverse attorneys, Ms. JD’s online community provides a forum for dialogue and networking among women lawyers and law students. Ms. JD’s programs provide law student fellowships, public interest scholarship and international scholarships for foreign women law students.  With campus chapters throughout the nation, Ms. JD is also home to the National Women Law Students’ Organization.