Dear CWBA Community,

I am honored to carry the gavel as the 48th President of the Colorado Women’s Bar Association. As I shared at our Annual Dinner and Passing of the Gavel Ceremony, my path to leading this organization was inspired by all of the wonderful ways the CWBA has impacted my life personally and professionally. My path was also inspired by everything the CWBA has taught me about my voice – what it sounds like, when I need to use it, and when I need to quiet my voice and listen. The CWBA taught me that it’s not just about speaking—it’s about what you say, when you say it, and who you lift when you do.

Right now, the political and social climate has left our communities feeling uncertain and afraid. The Rule of Law itself is under attack, as are the rights of women and many other marginalized communities. I am certain, however, that we all still have our voices, and our voices are more powerful when we use them together.

Attorneys in Colorado take an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Colorado, to use our knowledge for the betterment of society and the improvement of the legal system, and to never reject from any consideration personal to ourselves, the cause of the defenseless or oppressed. This moment is an opportunity for us to reflect on what that oath means and what it asks of us.

This is what inspired me to choose my theme for this year - my theme for the 2025-2026 year of the CWBA is SPEAK UP! We cannot take our voices, or the ability and the duty to use our voices for granted!

The CWBA provides an incredible pipeline and hub for using our voices in impactful ways. I am proud to be the first President to oversee a new CWBA leadership and membership structure that I know will make our voices more effective. This new structure includes five newly envisioned committees that focus on the most important functions of the CWBA:

• Bench Builders Committee - The newly envisioned Bench Builders Committee will begin monthly meetings to identify opportunities for diversification of the bench and to create pipelines for members to become judicial officers. This Committee will also continue to conduct due diligence on judicial finalists and advise the Governor’s Office on which candidates best represent the important values of experience, reputation for fairness and integrity, and treatment of women, people of color and/or historically marginalized groups, amongst others. Join this Committee if you are passionate about improving the makeup of Colorado’s judiciary!
  
  
• Convention Committee – The Convention Committee is responsible for organizing and executing the CWBA’s annual Convention in May, ensuring an exciting, educational, and well-attended event. The Committee secures nationally recognized speakers, develops engaging and diverse programming, and arranges entertainment. Committee members will also be engaged in securing sponsorships and swag donations for the event. Join this Committee if you are looking for a lively group of creative event planners who have formed a wonderful community that puts on an amazing Convention each year!
  
  
• EmpowHERment and PublisHERs Committee - The EmpowHERment and PublisHERs Committee plays a dual role: identifying CWBA members, organizations, and programs for local and national awards and amplifying member voices through the award-winning blog, The 1891. The Committee recruits authors, edits and writes blog posts, and ensures diverse perspectives are highlighted. Additionally, it manages the selection process for the Mary Lathrop Award and organizes the reception honoring the award recipient. Join this Committee if you are interested in highlighting an amazing member of our legal community through an award nomination or a blog post, or if you have other ideas of how the CWBA can increase its exposure across other platforms!
  
  
• MembHERship and Mentorship Committee - The MembHERship & Mentorship Committee serves as the recruitment and engagement arm of CWBA, working to grow membership, enhance participation, and foster meaningful connections. The Committee develops strategies to attract and retain members. The Committee also oversees all CWBA mentoring programs. Join this Committee if you are passionate about helping attorneys and allied legal professionals find their community or if you have ideas of how to grow the CWBA!
  
  
• Inclusive Education and Training Committee – The newly created Inclusive Education and Training Committee fosters professional development and lifelong learning within the CWBA community, focusing on advancing women in the legal profession. The Committee develops and delivers high-quality CLE programs that promote DEI, address current news and hot topics, or otherwise provide tools to navigate the profession. Join this Committee if you have ideas on how we can educate our legal community on the important issues we are facing!
  
  
• Policy Action Committee - The Policy Action Committee monitors national, state, and local legislation affecting women and children, working closely with CWBA’s contracted lobbyists and our members to advocate for mission-aligned policies. This Committee also provides input on proposed legislation that is in line with CWBA’s legislative agenda, and engages in stakeholdering on behalf of the CWBA on bills working their way through the legislature. This Committee also looks for opportunities for amicus brief sign-ons, and opportunities for other policy action! Join this Committee if you want to learn about the Colorado legislative process, if you are interested in drafting amicus briefs on issues important to the CWBA, or if you are passionate about the improvement of the legal framework we are subject to!

I invite you all to Speak Up with me this year – by engaging in a Committee, by attending the exciting events CWBA has planned for the year, and by honoring the Oath we take as attorneys in other ways.

With love, gratitude, and excitement for the year ahead,

Alison Connaughty

CWBA President 2025-26