The Center for Women in Law, through the Hortense Ward Courageous Leader Award, seeks to recognize on a biennial basis one outstanding lawyer who exemplifies Ward’s tenacity, courage, and commitment in her efforts to achieve gender parity in positions of leadership, influence, and responsibility in the legal profession.
Nomination Criteria:
Each nominee must:
- Be a graduate of a law school
- Have demonstrated various outstanding professional achievements
- Have a history of efforts to achieve gender parity in positions of leadership, influence, and responsibility in the legal profession, exhibited in one or more of the following ways:
- Being a public voice for women
- Taking specific, concrete steps to eliminate gender bias
- Creating opportunities that advance women lawyers
- Actively promoting minority women lawyers
- Commit to attend the award ceremony on April 4, 2025.
NOTE: Founding Members of the Center for Women in Law are not eligible for this award.
Nomination Procedure:
Submit a nomination form in addition to a 2-page letter that outlines specific examples of the nominee’s credentials based on the criteria above. Supporting documents must include the nominee’s resume/curriculum vitae and at least three (but no more than five) recommendation letters from other individuals. At least one recommendation letter must come from a person who benefited directly from the nominee’s efforts. The nomination packet may also include articles that display the nominee’s credentials and additional personal anecdotes.
If a nomination package was submitted in a prior year for the nominee, please check the box on page 3 of the online form: “Nomination for previous nominee.” You may submit updated supporting documents, including additional letters of recommendation.
Past Hortense Ward Courageous Leader Award Recipients
2023 - The Honorable Bernice Bouie Donald
The Honorable Bernice B. Donald
THE HONORABLE BERNICE B. DONALD was nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit by President Barack Hussein Obama on December 1, 2010 and re- nominated in January 2011.
2020 - Patricia Diaz Dennis
Patricia Diaz Dennis
PATRICIA DIAZ DENNIS is a longstanding leader and groundbreaking role model. For decades, she has forged paths and opened doors of opportunity for women, and remains committed to keeping them open.
Watch Patricia Diaz Dennis' acceptance speech here.
2018 - ROBERTA LIEBENBERG
Roberta D. Liebenberg
Event Speaker
Roberta D. Liebenberg is a senior partner at Fine, Kaplan and Black in Philadelphia, where she focuses her practice on class actions, antitrust, and complex commercial litigation. Ms.
Watch ROBERTA LIEBENBERG’s acceptance speech here.
2016 - Michele Coleman Mayes
Michele Coleman Mayes
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Michele Coleman Mayes, was appointed Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at The New York Public Library in 2012. She serves as chief legal officer and is responsible for guiding NYPL's legal strategy to enable the Library to achieve its mission.
Watch Michele Coleman Mayes' acceptance speech here.
2014- Mary Cranston
Mary Cranston
Senior Partner (former managing partner), Pillsbury
Mary B. Cranston is the Firm Senior Partner and immediate past Chair of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. In her eight years as Chair, Ms. Cranston expanded the firm from a regional California base into an international platform through two large mergers and the addition of seven offices.
Watch Mary Cranston's acceptance speech here.