10th Annual Sylvania Woods Conference
Friday/Saturday
April 7 & 8, 2006
"The African American Woman in Law and Legal History"
This year's conferene was a two-part event beginning with a professional production of "The Trial of One Short-Sighted Black Woman vs. Mammy Louise and Safreeta Mae" on Friday evening. The theme for this year's conference was the "African American Women in Law and Legal History," and, consistent with that theme, The Trial, written by Karani Marcia Leslie, puts on trial the images of Black women in the workplace. The entire play takes place in a courtroom , where a young, professional African-American woman testifies against the historical, negative images of black women whom she believes have had a negative impact on her career. All appear in court to vigorously themselves.
Saturday's program included a tribute by Judge Gerald Bruce Lee dedicated to two late icons: Judge Constance Baker Motley and Mrs. Rosa Parks. The tirbute was followed by a morning panel of African-American women judges, who discussed legally and historically significant cases and proceedings that had particularly moved or impressed them.
During the awards luncheon, Prof. Angela Davis and third-year student Lydia Edwards received the North Star and Rising Star Awards, for outstanding contrtibutions by a legal professional and a student, respectively. After lunch, the conference convened again for a speech by Ms. Kemba Smith about her experience of being arrested and, eventually, pardoned on federal drug charges.
Also among the day's events were an exhibition of African-American art, a silent auction to benefit the Rising Star Award, and a closing reception featuring the singing talent of graduating student Loide Jorge.
Watch Video from the Conference
Sylvania Woods Conference: The African-American Woman in Law & Legal History, Part I (2:15:07)
Sylvania Woods Conference: Awards Luncheon (55:04)
Sylvania Woods Conference: The African-American Woman in Law & Legal History, Part II (42:33)
