| A Note from the Office of Dean Leonard M. Baynes |
As we celebrate National Women’s History Month in March, it is an opportunity to reflect on the legacies and courageous contributions women have made to our society, country and countless professions. From our own aunts, daughters, mothers, grandmothers, and sisters to the women who have broken barriers in every industry, women have helped shape our world in meaningful ways. According to the National Women’s History Alliance, the origins of National Women’s Month go back to 1978 when the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission in California lobbied for a “Women's History Week.” After former President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation that declared the week of March 8, 1980 as National Women’s History Week, Congress later expanded the commemoration to National Women’s Month in 1987. From a legal perspective, 38% of all attorneys in the U.S. were women in 2022. Per Law360’s Glass Ceiling Report, about 23.9% of equity partners in the U.S. were women. The legal profession benefits immensely from having women in it, as it helps to promote diversity, challenge biases, increase access to justice, and provide strong role models for future generations. This March, I would like to recognize one of those strong role models: Texas State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, who received an LL.M. in International Law from the University of Houston Law Center in 1996. |
Texas State Rep. Senfronia Thompson |
Thompson represents House District 141, which includes parts of northeast Houston and Humble. Her tenure of public service has been historic, as she has served longer than any other woman or African American in Texas history. She is in the midst of her 25th term and is the Dean of the Texas House of Representatives. Thompson's work has benefited women in various ways. Some highlights of her accomplishments below:
Please take a moment to click through the slideshow to see more about other women alumni who have not only left their mark here at the Law Center, but also in their careers in law. Let us celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of women this March and redouble our efforts to create an environment where every woman has the chance to pursue her goals, but let us also remember that even today, women still face significant obstacles in achieving equality, particularly women of color, LGBTQ+ women, and women with disabilities. It is up to all of us to continue to push for progress and to ensure that all women have the opportunity to succeed and thrive. |
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