Emerge Nevada is always celebrating our history-making women alumnae! As we leave this month dedicated to women’s history, we are highlighting elected alumnae trailblazers: Judge Gloria Sturman, Judge Tierra Jones, Judge Nancy Allf, County Clerk Lynn Goya and SEIU President, Michelle Maese. We asked them to share their reflections on the important leadership role elected women play in shaping Nevada history.
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“The 100th woman admitted to practice law in Nevada passed the bar in 1979, my first year in law school. By the time I was admitted to practice in 1983 several more women were practicing law in Nevada. We owe much to those pioneering women who moved to Nevada not only to practice law, but who pursued elected office, including Assemblywoman Eugenia Orenschall and Shelley Berkley (who held a number of elected offices during her career). Only one woman attorney had been elected to the bench at the time, then District Court Judge Miriam Shearing. These women paved the way for our majority female Supreme Court, 8th Judicial District Court, and State Legislature by proving not only that voters would support women candidates, but that women could be relied on to serve the state with integrity and dedication to bettering our community.”
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“Women’s work on the Nevada Judiciary has been significant by bringing a diverse perspective to ensure fair and equal justice. Now that our District and Supreme Courts are both women-majority, Las Vegas is definitely leading the way for women trailblazing the judiciary. I believe that the future is very bright for women seeking election as judges because women have made such a positive mark and the work will continue.”
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“As a young lawyer, we had only one woman on the bench, Miriam Shearing. She was our only role model, but because of her doors were opened. Voters see women as compassionate and hard-working due to Justice Shearing’s hard work, and steady hand. Last year, we added women judges at every level of the judiciary and they are already making an impact. In my court, for the first time ever, we have a woman Chief Judge and women presiding in each of the divisions: civil, criminal, and family. Women make a difference! There was a time I wasn’t sure I could offer myself to public service, as women were not electable as judges. I’m so happy how that has changed during my career.”
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“What women have learned is to take ownership of our accomplishments instead of graciously being seen as the invisible hand that guides our menfolk. When women lead and make it known that they are proud of their leadership ability, we do things like help each other step up until we become the ones in leadership. We’ve seen that lead to: increased emphasis on “women’s issues” like breast cancer, paid family leave for both sexes, pay equity, better schools and education, criminal justice reform and economic justice.
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Speaking of women making history! We congratulate the awe-inspiring Michelle Maese (Class of 2021) on being elected as SEIU Local 1107’s first Black President! Michelle shared to a packed SEIU Headquarters at her induction:
“Today, in the last hour, you witnessed three points in history:
ONE: This is the very first uncontested board in the history of SEIU Local 1107.
TWO: I am the first Black President of SEIU Local 1107.
And THREE: We were inducted by the first Black woman justice of North Las Vegas.”
Judge Belinda T. Harris (Class of 2020) presided over the ceremony and welcomed in the newly elected, uncontested, board members.
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