By Caprice Jenerson
Did you know that only 35 percent of lawyers at major U.S. law firms are women, while about 15 percent are people of color? As a black female attorney myself, I am no stranger to being the only woman of color in the courtroom.
I believe we can change that.
On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, my team and I, along with dozens of volunteer law students from Cardozo Law School and lawyers from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, had the privilege of spending time with the brilliant young leaders in Girl Scout Troop 6000.
These amazing girls, aged seven to seventeen, live in shelters throughout the city. Most are girls of color who are experiencing poverty because systems of power deprive their communities of opportunity.
But with opportunity comes limitless potential. Through law career panels and vision board workshops, we planned for the future and dreamed up new possibilities.
These girls inspire me to approach my work with renewed vigor. I know that by pursuing NYLAG’s mission of access to justice for those who need it most, I can help create a more equitable world in which these smart and vibrant girls can thrive.
And I hope that our time together has inspired some of the girls in the room to pursue a career in law.
Caprice Jenerson is the Director of NYLAG’s Pro Bono and Volunteer Unit.
