Our Mission Is To:

Provide a physical and figurative space at Boalt Hall for the dynamic and diverse women’s community.

Create an environment where an informed dialogue on issues of women, law and society is encouraged and analyzed.

Educate our community about gender issues by encouraging a broad-based exchange of ideas.

Develop and nurture an interface between Boalt students and the greater women’s community at the University and beyond.

Support, inspire and encourage legal work affecting, advancing or impacting women.

Who We Are

BWHA is the Women's Association at UC Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, representing women students. BWHA is one of the largest student organizations at Boalt.

Meet our 2000-2001 Executive Board.

What We Do

On an ad hoc basis, BHWA brings in speakers and sponsors events that speak to our members' interests. We have organized rock-climbing and self-defense classes, financial planning seminars, promotion of breast cancer awareness and much more. One of BHWA's most popular activities is our Faculty Tea series, in which Boalt professors and staff meet with BHWA members to discuss their careers, past and present research and experiences, women's role in the legal profession, and other topics of interest to women law students and women in general.

BHWA works closely with The Berkeley Women's Law Journal every spring to put together the annual Women's Faculty Reception, which features a panel of female Boalt professors discussing important issues facing women in the legal community. This year's topic is "Two Steps Forward, One Step Back? How Women’s Rights Will Be Affected in the Next Four Years."

One of BHWA's popular new traditions is the spring Barrister's Bash, which is one of the premiere social events of the year. This year, almost 400 people attended "Mardi Gras Madness" on the Berkeley Marina. The Bash is BHWA's biggest fundraiser, providing funding for the Herma Hill Kay Fellowship.

BHWA provides numerous opportunities for women to network. This year, over 100 women attorneys attended our fall schmooze fest, "Recruiting and Promoting Women: The Next Step."

BHWA's Member Lounge is a convenient, private space just for women! It is centrally located (next door to Cafe Zeb on the second floor), spacious, newly repainted, and well-stocked (BHWA keeps feminine products and Advil on hand, as well as a stash of tea, cocoa, and eating utensils). The Lounge provides a safe, private place for women to relax between classes, nap, eat, and use the phone. Students who are mothers use the Lounge for breast-feeding and -pumping. During the fall interview season, members use the Lounge as a women's dressing room.

BHWA provides several opportunities for women to get involved. Recently returned to our activist roots, BHWA is participating in a local clinic escorting program and has begun to work closely with the administration on the issue of equal opportunities for women in faculty hiring. BHWA also participates in the campus-wide "Take Back the Night" activities. BHWA members are encouraged to bring current issues affecting women to the attention of our wider membership at our biweekly general meetings.

BHWA also publishes a monthly newsletter to keep members informed of upcoming events (and anything else we see fit to print).