The Florida Association for Women Lawyers’ Gator alumnae can rejoice, as FAWL presented the new FAWL at UF chapter with its official charter.
The new University of Florida chapter has already met with the local Clara Gehan FAWL chapter and has big plans for its first year of operation, including special workshops with career services, a clothing drive for Dress for Success, and presentations by members of the local Clara Gehan chapter and FAWL members from around the state.
New FAWL at UF President Jennifer Cohen spearheaded the effort to get a FAWL chapter at Florida, along with their new faculty advisor, Linda Calvert-Hanson, the assistant dean for career services. By starting a chapter at UF, Cohen hopes to educate both women and men on the importance of networking and giving back to the community. She said women attorneys and law students especially need to continue to work together for support and guidance because of the difficulty of attaining balance in all aspects of their lives.
“Law school and the legal profession are extremely competitive and most women law students, if they don’t already have a family of their own, hope to start one at some point in their lives,” said Cohen. “It is very important for us to realize that we, as women, can be successful and have fruitful careers, while being able to balance it with our family and personal life.”
Cohen is originally from Miami and plans to return there after graduation and possibly pursue a career in government law. The other founding members of the UF chapter are Rolanda Joanice, treasurer, Allie Freshman, Tea Sisic, and Jennifer Jula.
UF alumnae and others, who are interested in supporting this new chapter financially or otherwise, may contact President Jennifer Cohen at [email protected].
— Courtesy Florida Bar News