Annual Report of WLAM Foundation

May, 1998

The 1997-98 year was launched with the setting of goals which included: (1) raising more money, (2) expanding Foundation giving into the high school level, particularly through the Center for Civic Education Through Law, (3) expanding fundraising sources into firms and impact litigators, and (4) increasing the awards to the law student scholarship recipients. All goals were accomplished, due to the exceptional efforts of a Foundation Board comprised of Dawn Van Hoek (Chair), Kimberly M. Cahill (Treasurer), Sandra L. Sorini (Secretary), Mary Barden, Z. Kay Fischer, Loretta Lewins-Peck, Victoria A. Roberts, Suellyn Scarnecchia, Carolyn Sharpe, Laura Slenzak, and Sharon Smith.

Fundraising continued in the form of a WLAM membership "dues check-off" which gave WLAM members an option of adding a contribution. Dues check-offs raised $1,275, and an additional $1,630 was raised through direct contributions. Included in the latter group was a generous contribution from Foundation "Angel" Carole Chiamp, previously the contributor of a major sum generated from impact litigation. An article in the WLAM newsletter, Focus, encouraged other WLAM members to earmark a portion of their fees from such cases for the Foundation. Finally, a fundraising event generated $7,235 after expenses.

The Foundation’s event this year took place on March 13, 1998, at the Dell Pryor Art Gallery in Detroit’s Harmonie Park. Ten attorney-artists were joined by professional artist Donald Calloway in an exhibition which included oil and watercolor paintings, photographs, art trouve, clothing and sculpture. The attorney-artists were Sharon D. Blackmon (Detroit), Walter H. Clements (Detroit), Frederick M. Cross (Sterling Heights), Kay Griffith Hammond (Grand Rapids), Ann Hildebrandt (Detroit), Sheri Mohmand (Kalamazoo), Ruthmarie Shea (Rochester), Barbara A. Wynder (Detroit), Brian Zubel (Lansing), and Lori A. Zurvalec (Grosse Pointe). Generous sponsors of the event included Clark Hill, Dykema Gossett, Meritor Automotive, Schoenherr & Cahill, Sharon Smith & Associates, Bodman, Longley & Dahling, Kemp, Klein, Umphrey & Edelman Foundation, and the Women Faculty & Administrators at the University of Michigan Law School. Over 120 attended the Exhibition’s opening night, feasting on hors d’oeuvres and enjoying the music of Dr. David Bauer and Kay Fischer. Proceeds from the event included the artists’ contributions of a percentage of their sales.

Competition for the Foundation’s outstanding woman law student scholarships was keen, with an outstanding selection made at each law school. Present at the Fundraiser to accept their awards were Stacy Combs (DCL at MSU), Sue Ellen Fabian (Wayne), Allison Folmar (Cooley), Michelle D. Johnson (U of D Mercy), and Katherine R. Weatherly (U of M). Each received $1,000, an increase from the $500 awarded last year.

The Foundation also received a generous contribution of $2,500 from the law firm of Howard & Howard, which designated that it should be awarded to an outstanding student from the University of Detroit Mercy Law School. The award will be made in the 1998-99 year.

The Foundation contributed $500 for the Center for Civic Education Through Law’s High School Mock Trial Program, with the understanding that the Foundation would work with the Center to encourage young women to pursue law careers, and to encourage program participation by more women lawyers.

Many thanks to all for the support shown!

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn Van Hoek

Chair, WLAM Foundation