On March 9, former, current, and incoming board members of Yale Law Women gathered at the law school for the first ever Yale Law Women Alumnae Board Reunion. Board Members from 2005-2006 through 2013-2014 reconnected—and for some, connected for the first time—to discuss all of the exciting things Yale Law Women has been up to, to learn about the alumnae’s experiences after graduation and how our programming can better prepare current students for beginning their careers, and to discuss how YLW can best engage with alumnae.
The day started with breakfast and introductions, with alumnae and students updating one another on what they are up to and where their careers have taken them. Then, the current Yale Law Women board launched into an overview of YLW’s past year of events, advocacy, and publications, including the Speak Up Report and Top Ten Family Friendly Firms Initiative. Next, alumnae discussed what they wish they had known in law school and made suggestions about what YLW could do to better prepare current students for the experiences and challenges they will face. The alumnae provided students with exciting recommendations for potential new programming, including events with women early in their careers, advice on deciding the next move after a clerkship, getting the most from 3L year, how to get your second job, and financial planning. The day closed with discussions about improving YLW’s alumnae engagement efforts. After a full day of helpful planning and brainstorming, we capped off the event with a dinner at the lovely home of Dean Barnett, YLS 1997, a former Yale Law Women Chair and current Associate Dean for Academic Affairs!
The Reunion was a rewarding and fun day, and a great opportunity for past and current boards to connect and brainstorm about the upcoming years of YLW programming, advocacy, and publications! We’re looking forward to applying the ideas that came out of our sessions to this year’s efforts, and to hopefully hosting another Board Reunion soon!