The Policy Action Committee typically meets the first Monday of the month at Noon. However, this month's meeting will be held on the second Monday due to the Labor Day holiday. New members always welcome!

For more information, contact our Policy Action Committee Co-Chairs Morgan Carroll and Iris Halpern.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW - hybrid option now available! Attend in person or via Zoom!  (NOTE: Refunds or exchanges will NOT be provided for those who purchase a regular ticket but then choose to attend virtually.)

BID NOW in our Silent Auction! 

As book bans surge across the country at an unprecedented rate, targeting stories by and about marginalized communities, librarians have become unexpected warriors in one of today’s most urgent battles over free expression and the future of democracy. Over 10,000 books were banned in public schools last year alone, with most of the bans centering on themes of race, gender, and identity.

This program will feature a panel of librarians who were terminated for refusing to comply with censorship demands. These individuals put their jobs on the line to protect the public’s right to read. Our panel will discuss the escalating clash between censorship and intellectual freedom, the legal and political threats facing librarians and educators, and the broader implications for democracy, public education, and civil rights. This is not just a conversation about books but about power, access, and whose stories are allowed to be told.

Suzette Baker is the former (terminated) Head Librarian for the Kingsland branch of the Llano County, Texas Library System. After working in the Library in Penrose, Colorado, she moved back to Texas, where she currently resides. As a military veteran and mother, the importance of free libraries has been a core fixture in her life.

Summer Boismier (she/her) is an English language arts educator and University of Oklahoma doctoral student whose work focuses on free expression issues, culturally sustaining pedagogies, and educational equity in public schools. A nationally recognized youth intellectual freedom advocate, she is also a recipient of the Oklahoma State Department of Education's 2019 Rising Star Award and Piedmont Public Schools’ 2018-2019 District Teacher of the Year honor. In 2024, the Oklahoma State Board of Education unanimously revoked her teaching certificate for telling her students about a public library card.

Terri Lesley, a lifetime resident of Wyoming, has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Wyoming and a Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of North Texas. She worked in the library field for 27 years and held the Executive Director position of the Campbell County Public Library System from 2012 to July 2023. Terri experienced a well-executed political attack on intellectual freedom during the last two years of her employment by a group of local citizens who were affiliated with a nationally recognized hate group. Terri fought to protect her staff and the First Amendment rights of all community members. She was ultimately fired by the Library Board in a fashion that garnered national attention and continues to fight this injustice.

Brooky Parks began her career in public libraries serving children and teens and is dedicated to promoting inclusion. After being wrongfully terminated for resisting censorship, she won a precedent-setting lawsuit and received the 2023 Julie J. Boucher Memorial Award for Intellectual Freedom from the Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL). She has since transitioned to academic libraries and is an Assistant Professor and Business and Economics Reference Librarian at the University of Denver.

Rhea Young: Originally from Splendora, Texas, Rhea spent 32 years in the local school district as a teacher and librarian before serving as Library Director for the Montgomery County Memorial Library. She was recently terminated for resisting segregation and stigmatizing of LGBTQ+ themed books in the library district. She recently filed a lawsuit in federal court in Texas and continues to fight discrimination and censorship.

In line with this year’s CWBA theme of Speak Up, this fundraiser directly fuels the CWBA’s lobbying and public policy work at the Colorado state legislature and beyond—work that is urgently needed to fight back against censorship, protect civil rights, and ensure marginalized voices are not silenced.

Cost includes: Admission to event, plus one drink ticket and appetizers.

BID NOW! The return of our popular and huge silent auction!

We have many incredible items up for bid, with new items being added daily. In-person attendance is not required to participate in this silent auction.

Sponsorships also available for purchase here or contact CWBA Executive Director Kim Sporrer at execdir@cwba.org. 

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
SUMMIT - Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC
PLATINUM -  Dormer Harpring 
PLATINUM -  Johnson & Klein Law PLLC
SILVER - Coombe Curry Rich & Jarvis
SILVER - Spark Justice Law LLC
BRONZE - Bespoke Law LLC
BRONZE - Emma Garrison
BRONZE - Proff Law LLC
BRONZE - Werge & Corbin Law Group
SUPPORTER - CWBA Foundation

All funds raised through this event will support the Colorado Women’s Bar Association's vitally important public policy work and its lobbyist activities. The CWBA is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit corporation. Ticket costs, sponsorships, silent auction purchases, and CWBA donations are not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution, but may be deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense, subject to exclusion for lobbying activity. Please consult with your professional tax advisor for further advice.

The Inclusive Education and Training Committee (formerly Programs Committee) typically meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month over Zoom (or in person). IMPORTANT NOTE: This month's meeting will be held the first WEDNESDAY, November 5th due to the Policy Action fundraiser scheduling conflict on our original meeting date.

The Inclusive Education and Training Committee is dedicated to fostering a culture of lifelong learning and professional development within the Colorado legal community with the lens of advancing women as leaders in the law. Through innovative and inclusive training programs, this committee will develop and deliver high-quality continuing legal education (CLE) opportunities that address the evolving needs of women legal professionals. The committee’s mission is to: design and implement CLE programs that reflect diverse perspectives, promote equity, and ensure accessibility for all members; highlight emerging trends and critical topics in the legal profession, including technology, diversity, and leadership development; and partner with law firms, legal organizations, and community groups to provide collaborative and impactful learning experiences. The Committee will be charged with bringing CLE programming to members consistently throughout the year (at least one per quarter). The Committee will work with the Officer of Professional Development on creating spaces for dialogue, growth, and empowerment. The co-chairs may also work closely with the Officer of Community Action and Advocacy to develop and implement community training opportunities.

For more information about this committee or the next committee meeting, please contact the Committee Co-Chairs Ellen Blatt and Leanna Gavin. 

The Convention Committee typically meets at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom the second Monday of each month unless there are scheduling conflicts.

The Convention Committee plans the CWBA's Annual Convention. Committee duties include organizing an exciting and educational annual convention with nationally recognized speakers, interesting and varied programming and entertainment, all to attract strong attendance and sponsorship, while coordinating with board members on fundraising, theme development, organizational and member needs, and event planning. 

To get involved or learn more, contact Convention Committee Co-Chairs Elizabeth Horton, Angie Nelson, and Megan Rettig. 

This committee typically meets the second Tuesday of each month at Noon unless there is a necessary schedule change, as is the case this month.  All members welcome to attend at any time!  

The MembHERship and Mentorship Committee is the recruitment arm, welcoming committee, and mentoring development leaders of the CWBA.  The Committee’s goal is to develop ways to increase membership (new and renewals), increase member participation (on committees, by attending events, etc.), and create and improve structures to inclusively welcome and engage new members. This Committee also manages the CWBA’s LIFT! mentoring program. It also works with law student members and liaisons to CU and DU Law to increase ties between women attorneys and law students with the goal of maintaining women in the organization through the transition from law school to practice. 

This Committee will have several fun event and networking planning opportunities throughout the year - to include the summer social and winter holiday party. The Committee will work with the Officer of Partnership and Development on growth opportunities for membership; on sponsorship opportunities for all membership events; and on sponsorship, publicity, and growth opportunities for the mentoring program.

For more information, contact MembHERship and Mentorship Committee Co-Chairs Kylie Ngu and Kara Chrobak.

Join the Colorado Women's Bar Association, CU Women's Law Caucus, and DU Women's Legal Coalition at Neon Cowboy, a brand-new restaurant in Denver, to celebrate our collegiality, shared values, and love for the fall season at a Friendsgiving get-together. Mentorship is central to each of our groups, and this is a great opportunity for lawyers and students to connect in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

A little anxious about attending? Don’t know anyone? No problem! Friendsgiving attendees will receive a number that matches attorneys with students. Your challenge is to find your matching group at the event!

Delicious food and beverage included with registration. Space is limited to participate in this cross-organizational festivity.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

The Bench Builders Judicial Committee has changed its meetings to the third Thursday of the month from 12:15-1 p.m. New members always welcome!

For more information, contact our Bench Builders Judicial Committee Co-Chairs Rebecca Cohn and Cynthia Sánchez.

Board members are encouraged to attend in person. For more information or for RSVP assistance, contact the CWBA office at (303) 831-1040. 

The CWBA EmpowHERment and PublisHERS Committee typically meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at Noon unless there are scheduling issues. New members always welcome! 

The Zoom link will be included in your RSVP confirmation email.

The EmpowHERment and PublisHERs Committee does two very important things: identifying deserving CWBA members, organizations, and/or programs to submit as nominees for consideration for local and national awards, and amplifying the voices and accomplishments of our community members on the award-winning blog, The 1891. Committee members strategically identify fresh content and potential authors, as well as edit and even write articles and blog posts. The Committee prioritizes showcasing diverse authors and views. In addition, the committee vets nominees for the Annual Mary Lathrop Trailblazer Award and organizes the reception for the Mary Lathrop Award recipient at Convention each year. The Committee will also build a speaker database of honorees and featured blog spotlights. The Committee will work with the Officer of Communications on publicizing efforts, publications, and award winners.

For more information, please contact the Committee Co-Chairs: 
Hon. Colleen Clark and Katherine Carroll

The Policy Action Committee typically meets the first Monday of the month at Noon. However, this month's meeting will be held on the second Monday due to the Labor Day holiday. New members always welcome!

For more information, contact our Policy Action Committee Co-Chairs Morgan Carroll and Iris Halpern.

 Join us for a year-end celebration and holiday party with Colorado's diversity bars. We can't wait to celebrate with you! Details coming soon.

The Convention Committee typically meets at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom the second Monday of each month unless there are scheduling conflicts.

The Convention Committee plans the CWBA's Annual Convention. Committee duties include organizing an exciting and educational annual convention with nationally recognized speakers, interesting and varied programming and entertainment, all to attract strong attendance and sponsorship, while coordinating with board members on fundraising, theme development, organizational and member needs, and event planning. 

To get involved or learn more, contact Convention Committee Co-Chairs Elizabeth Horton, Angie Nelson, and Megan Rettig. 

The Convention Committee typically meets at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom the second Monday of each month unless there are scheduling conflicts.

The Convention Committee plans the CWBA's Annual Convention. Committee duties include organizing an exciting and educational annual convention with nationally recognized speakers, interesting and varied programming and entertainment, all to attract strong attendance and sponsorship, while coordinating with board members on fundraising, theme development, organizational and member needs, and event planning. 

To get involved or learn more, contact Convention Committee Co-Chairs Elizabeth Horton, Angie Nelson, and Megan Rettig. 

The CWBA Board's Executive Officers, Board Members, and Leadership Advisory Council all meet together on the third Wednesday of the month in July, October, January, and April. 

Board members are encouraged to attend in person. For more information or for RSVP assistance, contact the CWBA office at (303) 831-1040. 

Welcome, new members! Come join us to meet people, ask questions, and learn more about the CWBA. These virtual lunches are typically held online via Zoom on a quarterly basis (January, April, June, and October) at Noon on the fourth Thursday of the month.

The Convention Committee typically meets at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom the second Monday of each month unless there are scheduling conflicts.

The Convention Committee plans the CWBA's Annual Convention. Committee duties include organizing an exciting and educational annual convention with nationally recognized speakers, interesting and varied programming and entertainment, all to attract strong attendance and sponsorship, while coordinating with board members on fundraising, theme development, organizational and member needs, and event planning. 

To get involved or learn more, contact Convention Committee Co-Chairs Elizabeth Horton, Angie Nelson, and Megan Rettig. 

The Convention Committee typically meets at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom the second Monday of each month unless there are scheduling conflicts.

The Convention Committee plans the CWBA's Annual Convention. Committee duties include organizing an exciting and educational annual convention with nationally recognized speakers, interesting and varied programming and entertainment, all to attract strong attendance and sponsorship, while coordinating with board members on fundraising, theme development, organizational and member needs, and event planning. 

To get involved or learn more, contact Convention Committee Co-Chairs Elizabeth Horton, Angie Nelson, and Megan Rettig. 

The Convention Committee typically meets at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom the second Monday of each month unless there are scheduling conflicts.

The Convention Committee plans the CWBA's Annual Convention. Committee duties include organizing an exciting and educational annual convention with nationally recognized speakers, interesting and varied programming and entertainment, all to attract strong attendance and sponsorship, while coordinating with board members on fundraising, theme development, organizational and member needs, and event planning. 

To get involved or learn more, contact Convention Committee Co-Chairs Elizabeth Horton, Angie Nelson, and Megan Rettig. 

The Convention Committee typically meets at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom the second Monday of each month unless there are scheduling conflicts.

The Convention Committee plans the CWBA's Annual Convention. Committee duties include organizing an exciting and educational annual convention with nationally recognized speakers, interesting and varied programming and entertainment, all to attract strong attendance and sponsorship, while coordinating with board members on fundraising, theme development, organizational and member needs, and event planning. 

To get involved or learn more, contact Convention Committee Co-Chairs Elizabeth Horton, Angie Nelson, and Megan Rettig.