The presidents of the Harvard Women’s Law Association and the Law and International Development Society recently issued a statement announcing their decision to withdraw their International Women’s Day honor from Robin Steinberg, Executive Director of the Bronx Defenders. As members, chairs, and directors within the Women’s Law Association’s large structure, we are writing to express our deep disappointment with that decision.
The Women’s Law Association has a history of feminist activism and has done remarkable work over the years. We have the utmost respect for the women involved in this organization. We also understand that the leaders who made the choice were under immense pressure from the HLS Administration, alumni and donors, and police organizations threatening to picket the International Women’s Day Exhibit. Nevertheless, the ultimate choice to rescind Ms. Steinberg’s honor–made by a small number of students without the knowledge of the Executive Board or General Board–does not reflect the organization’s proud legacy or the diverse set of voices currently involved in the WLA community.
Ms. Steinberg is a national leader in criminal justice reform and a source of great inspiration, especially to the many of us pursuing public defense work. Her long and distinguished career championing the rights of indigent defendants exemplifies the commitment to public service that we want to celebrate and emulate. Honoring Robin Steinberg does not in any way constitute an endorsement of violence against police; we wish that this false and dichotomous framing had been challenged and the original decision to honor Ms. Steinberg upheld.
Some of us no longer feel at home in the WLA after the decision and will pursue social justice from outside the organization. Others among us have chosen to continue our involvement in the WLA in order to help improve it. The goal is to work with–and within–the WLA in order to improve the only organization at Harvard Law School focused solely on advocating for women.
All of us offer Ms. Steinberg our sincerest apologies.
Sincerely,
Anna Joseph
Peyton Lee
Jenae Moxie
Lana Birbrair
Kathleen Borschow
Mariam Boxwala
Ellyn Gendler
Jane Gimian
Neha Jaganathan
Rachael Klarman
Ariane Moss
Clara Spera
Elyssa Spitzer
Elizabeth Tuttle, resigned board member
Olivia A. Warren
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