Annual Report Master - Women`s Law Center of Maryland

DIRECT SERVICES
EDUCATION
ADVOCACY
RESEARCH
LITIGATION
POLICY ANALYSIS
JUDICIAL SELECTION
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
2008 ANNUAL REPORT
The Women’s Law Center of Maryland. Inc.
305 West Chesapeake Avenue, Suite 201, Towson, MD 21204
Phone (410) 321-8761
Fax (410) 321-0462
[email protected]
http://www.wlcmd.org
THE WOMEN’S LAW CENTER
Officers & Board
President
Alex Strubing Paradise
Vice President
Leigh Goodmark
Treasurer
Elizabeth Caplan
Past President
Bobbie Steyer
At-Large Board Members
Rebecca Caldwell
Johanna Diamond
Susan Elgin
Dorcus Gilmore
Rebecca Herr
Emily Hunt
Margaret Johnson
Francine Krumholz
Alexandria Lunn
Michele McDonald
Ginger Robinson
Reena Shah
Gusty Taler
Staff
Executive Director
L. Tracy Brown
Chief Operating Officer
Jessica Morgan
Legal Projects Manager
Laure Ruth
Development Director
Valerie Rupp
ELH Project Director
Jill Wrigley
Administrative Assistant
Jan Arado
MEDOVI Project Director
Deepa Bijpuria
Staff Attorneys
Suzanne Bailey
Ellen Hare
Alicia Leibowitz
Jessica Spartana
Legal Advocates
Waleska Blotny
D. Crystal Mack
Dear Women’s Law Center Supporter:
It has been another extraordinary year at the Women’s Law Center. Our direct services
and education programs provided over 8,200 Marylanders free legal representation,
information and advice. We introduced a valuable new resource to the legal
community, the Kaufman Alimony Guidelines, a tool designed to promote fair financial
distribution in divorce. Our advocacy efforts produced results while our legislative alerts
kept our members aware of proposed legislation we monitored, and encouraged
grassroots support of issues that could impact women’s rights. We also reached a
benchmark in 2008 with the conclusion of our five year strategic plan.
In 2003, the Women’s Law Center Board and staff completed an ambitious strategic plan
that resulted in a vision statement, mission statement and key focus areas to guide
priorities and direct organizational resources for five years. The Board is revising this
successful plan to guide our work in coming years. We have provided some highlights of
our work over the last five years to give you a better idea of the positive impact the
activities outlined in our strategic plan have made to the community.
As we reflect on the activities, we are energized by the achievements we have made and
inspired to continue to work until our vision of a legal system that provides justice and
fairness to women is a reality. Our vision is ambitious but attainable. Members and
donors allow us to engage in meaningful advocacy on behalf of individual clients and on a
state-wide level. Dedicated volunteers give their time and energy to provide high quality
legal services to individuals in need. The Women’s Law Center was founded on the passionate belief that the battle for equality can be won through the legal system. Our supporters make us strong. Relying on this strength, we work to empower women and build
a just legal system. The results speak for themselves. Each number in this
summary represents a life impacted by our services.
We invite you to join us as a member, donor or volunteer. In the next year, we plan to
introduce new programs and activities for our members. With your support, we will
continue to work to close the gender gap and open the doors of justice to all of
Maryland’s women and children.
Best regards,
Alexandra Strubing Paradise
President
VISION
MISSION
L. Tracy Brown
Executive Director
A legal system that provides justice and fairness to women.
To serve as a leading voice for justice and fairness for women by
advocating for the rights of women through policy analysis, advocacy,
litigation, education, research, judicial selection, legislative advocacy
and direct services. The Women’s Law Center is a membership
organization that offers opportunities for its members to support and
participate in advocacy on behalf of women and families.
FIVE YEAR SUMMARY OF SERVICES
Highlights: July 1, 2003—June 30, 2008
THE BOARD AND STAFF OF THE WOMEN’S LAW CENTER
OF MARYLAND, INC. IDENTIFIED IMPRESSIVE GOALS
WHEN CREATING ITS FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN IN
2003. FIVE YEARS LATER, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE GOALS
WERE MET AND, IN MANY CASES, EXCEEDED.
ORGANIZATIONAL PLANS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY WILL
BUILD ON THE SUCCESS OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN,
LEADING THE WOMEN’S LAW CENTER CONTINUING
EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE ITS MISSION.
LEADERSHIP
Strategic plan goal: Increase effectiveness
through alliances, legislative advocacy, participation in the
judicial selections process and proactive response to issues
affecting women’s rights.
• Introduced email Legislative Alerts to keep our members
informed about issues affecting women’s rights
• Conducted judicial selection interviews and submitted
recommendations for hundreds of judicial candidates
• Testified on over 150 bills and filed or participated in
amicus activities
THE WOMEN’S LAW CENTER OF MARYLAND IS PLEASED
TO LIST SOME OF THE MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS MADE
MARYLAND
THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PLAN.
ON BEHALF OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN
20,870
Family Law Hotline
callers aided
10,879
Legal Forms Helpline
callers assisted
3,032
POARP clients served
2,362
Publications distributed
(hard copies only)
1,746
Family Law Hotline
pro bono hours
YEARS
577
Employment Law
Hotline callers assisted*
501
Employment Law
Hotline pro bono hours*
341
MEDOVI clients served
293
Bills affecting women’s
rights monitored
242
Judicial Selections
interviews conducted
166
Reduced Fee Custody
project clients served *
*Notes that a program began
during the five year period
DIRECT SERVICES
Strategic plan goal: Address unmet and
critical legal needs for women to identify and implement
systemic changes to improve the response of the legal system
to women.
•
Added an Employment Law Hotline and a Spanish Legal
Forms Helpline
•
Opened POARP offices in Carroll County Circuit and
District Courts in addition to the existing offices in
Baltimore City and Baltimore County
•
Launched the Reduced Fee Custody project
MEMBERSHIP
Strategic plan goal: Diversify membership base
and provide opportunities to foster active member involvement.
• Partnered with law students at University of Maryland and
University of Baltimore to form Students Supporting the
Women’s Law Center groups at the schools and included
student leaders as Women’s Law Center Board members,
helping to promote Board diversity
• Expanded events and networking opportunities for
members and friends
• Enhanced pro bono opportunities for attorneys by adding
a hotline, expanding the hours of existing hotlines, and
introducing technology that allows volunteers to answer
hotline calls remotely
RESEARCH AND POLICY Strategic plan goal: Address unmet
and critical legal needs for women with the goal of identifying
and implementing systemic changes to improve the response
of the legal system to women.
• Released Custody & Financial Distribution, Families in
Transition: Exploring Family Law Issues in Maryland and
Your Money Matters
• Established the Justice in Divorce project
• Introduced the Kaufman Alimony Guidelines
DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES
Providing access to justice to women and children in need
2008
ANNUAL
REPORT
The Women’s Law Center’s family law projects offer individuals free legal representation that is critical to
achieving a successful outcome in court. Attorneys help clients gain safety, maintain custody of their
children and establish independence from an abusive partner, regardless of their ability to pay. All of our
family law projects are administered through the Women’s Law Center’s Bruce A. Kaufman Center for
Family Law.
PROTECTIVE ORDER ADVOCACY AND REPRESENTATION PROJECT (POARP)
POARP attorneys represented 524 victims of domestic violence, helping
them to attain protective orders, establish safety plans and providing
referrals to other agencies to ensure that clients are safe and secure.
An additional 707 individuals received important information and referrals.
POARP provides free attorneys to victims of domestic violence seeking
protective orders through the civil circuit courts in Baltimore City and Baltimore
County and the Circuit Court and District Court in Carroll County. POARP offices
are conveniently located at the courthouses where petitions for protective
orders are filed. This project is funded through the Administrative Office of the
Courts.
MULTI-ETHNIC DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (MEDOVI) PROJECT
MEDOVI provided legal representation in immigration hearings and
supporting services to 49 clients, information and referrals to an additional
119 victims, and technical assistance to 74 professionals who work with
foreign-born victims.
MEDOVI is a state-wide program that caters to the special, and often
complicated, needs of foreign-born victims of domestic violence. To better serve
this vulnerable community, a Spanish-speaking Legal Advocate was hired to
expand outreach efforts in the Hispanic community. Free interpreter services
and a multi-lingual voice mail system are available for those who do not speak
English or Spanish. Support for this program is provided by Victims of Crime Act
funds administered by the Maryland Department of Human Resources, United
Way of Central Maryland, the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention,
and the Administrative Office of the Courts.
REDUCED FEE CHILD CUSTODY PROJECT
IN AND OUT OF THE
COURT ROOM, OUR
PROGRAMS MAKE A
PROFOUND DIFFERENCE IN
THE LIVES OF
WOMEN IN NEED.
POARP attorneys work
closely with clients to help
them understand the
protective order process
and their rights.
Clearly the services
provided this year made
a positive impact and filled
a crucial need. POARP
clients reported:
•
POARP again if
abused
•
100% felt our services
were easier to use
because they are
located in the
courthouse
Forty three low-income citizens of Baltimore County involved in contested
custody cases received free access to an attorney because of the
Reduced Fee Custody Project.
Through this program, the Women’s Law Center screens cases and places clients
with experienced attorneys who provide their services for free to clients. The
attorneys involved in this project agree to be paid a significantly reduced fee by
the Women’s Law Center to represent clients and to continue their service for
the duration of the case, even if the payment cap is exceeded. This project is
funded by the Maryland Legal Services Corporation.
100% would use
•
98% said they felt safer
after going to court
with POARP attorneys
EDUCATION
Empowering women with access to reliable information about their rights
2008
ANNUAL
REPORT
Access to reliable information is a powerful source of equality for women. The Women’s Law Center
educates women through a diverse selection of publications and one-on-one attorney consultations through
its three legal information hotlines. These resources equip callers with accurate information to enable them
to make effective decisions and more successfully use the law to defend their rights.
FAMILY LAW HOTLINE
Now in its 17th year of operation, this hotline gave 5,828 callers valuable information and advice about family
law issues.
The Family Law Hotline operates seven hours per day each weekday. Volunteer attorneys provided over 430 hours
of meaningful and convenient pro bono service through the Hotline. Calls came from every jurisdiction in the state
and covered a broad range of topics relating to divorce, custody, visitation and child support. Funded by the
Maryland Legal Services Corporation, the Hotline is operated in partnership with the Legal Aid Bureau.
EMPLOYMENT LAW HOTLINE
Operating for three and a half hours per week, the Employment Law Hotline served 401 callers during its first
full fiscal year in operation.
Hotline attorneys answer nearly nonstop calls concerning a variety of employment-related issues including
discrimination in the workplace, sexual harassment, wage and overtime violations, and family and medical leave.
Due to the high demand for this hotline, the Women’s Law Center is planning to expand hotline hours in the future.
Funding for this project is provided by the Open Society Institute of Baltimore, the Marjorie Cook Foundation,
Baltimore Community Foundation, and Brown, Goldstein & Levy, LLP.
LEGAL FORMS HELPLINE
THE COST OF INJUSTICE IS
TOO GREAT.
Many of our clients
report that our services
are their only chance to
speak with an attorney
about important issues
affecting their lives and
rights.
94% of our POARP clients
would not have had representation because
they could not afford an
attorney.
The Helpline removed barriers to justice by enabling 2,067 Marylanders to
more effectively handle their family law case without an attorney.
Legal Forms Helpline attorneys help callers choose and complete Domestic
Relations forms and explain how to file the forms. Helpline attorneys impart
valuable information and advice to help pro se litigants better understand legal
procedures pertinent to their situation and gain access to the courts. A
separate toll-free number with access to a bi-lingual attorney is available for
Spanish-speaking pro se litigants. The Helpline is funded through the
Administrative Office of the Courts.
PUBLICATIONS
The Women’s Law Center distributed over 300 hard copies of its
publications and countless additional copies were downloaded from our
website.
Publications include: Your Money Matters: A Guide to Financial Independence for
Women; Legal Rights in Marriage and Divorce (Spanish and English); Legal
Rights of Unmarried Cohabitants; Sex Discrimination in Employment (Spanish and
English); and Battered – What Can I Do? (Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Korean,
Arabic and Vietnamese).
RESEARCH, POLICY ANALYSIS AND LEGAL REFORM
Identifying and addressing inequities that impact women
2008
ANNUAL
REPORT
As the leading voice for justice and fairness for women in Maryland, the Women’s Law Center actively
conducts research and policy analysis. The findings of these efforts are disseminated to inform advocates,
policy-makers and litigants and determine the course of action for our legal reform efforts. In recent
years, we have focused much of our attention on the effects of divorce on Maryland’s women and families
through the Justice in Divorce project. This project facilitates advocacy and legal reform to advance
positive outcomes for women and children in divorce.
In 2006, the Women’s Law Center completed data collection and analysis of family law cases that were
filed in FY2003 and published Families in Transition: Exploring Family Law Issues in Maryland. This
research replicated the prior analysis of FY1999 case filings to explore how the family law landscape
changed during the four years between the two studies. Based on the research findings, the report
offered policy recommendations about alimony, representation in custody cases, utilization of court
services and screening of domestic violence cases. In FY2008, the Women’s Law Center actualized a key
recommendation made in Families in Transition: Exploring Family Law Issues in Maryland with the
introduction of the Kaufman Alimony Guidelines.
Project
Spotlight
Families in Transition:
Exploring Family Law Issues
in Maryland, a 2006
Women’s Law Center
study, showed that only
16% of litigants in
Maryland requested
alimony and as few as 6%
received an award.
The study concluded that
the unpredictable nature
of alimony hinders
attorneys from providing
reliable advice to clients,
resulting in few requests
and even fewer awards.
KAUFMAN ALIMONY GUIDELINES
The Kaufman Alimony Guidelines, a free, downloadable service created
to help legal professionals develop reliable alimony advice, received a
warm welcome from the legal community upon its debut in April 2008.
The Bruce A. Kaufman Center for Family Law, a project of the Women’s
Law Center, and private funders underwrote the development of the
Guidelines to help attorneys shape informed alimony advice and,
ultimately, achieve equitable results for Maryland's families.
The Kaufman Alimony Guidelines factor in the length of marriage, age
of the claimant, whether there are children and the earning potential of
the claimant. The software calculates child support and tax rates to
present a clear picture of the financial status of both parties. The
recommendation generated provides a launch point for attorneys and
decision makers to shape informed alimony advice for their clients.
Hundreds of attorneys have already downloaded the software to help
their clients.
Users are required to register at www.kaufmanalimonyguidelines.org to
access the software. Maryland attorneys can obtain a password to
download the software by emailing [email protected].
Support for the Kaufman Alimony Guidelines is provided through a
generous challenge grant from the Lyn P. Meyerhoff Foundation,
contributions to the Women’s Law Center’s Justice Fund and individual
contributions directed toward this project that enabled us to introduce
this valuable resource to the community.
ADVOCACY
Working for equality through broad change
2008
ANNUAL
REPORT
The Women’s Law Center works for systemic change to ensure that the legal system acts in the best
interest of women and children. Advocacy is critical to the realization of our mission. We provide
convenient access to summaries of proposed legislature to encourage individual involvement. Testimony
submitted on key bills by our staff and volunteers is an important educational resource for decision
makers. Amicus briefs help appellate courts understand the impact of key cases on the legal rights of
women. Judicial selections efforts operate to insure an impartial judicial system. Our work, multiplied by
the grassroots support of our members and friends in the community, makes a true impact on issues that
affect women in Maryland every day.
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
The Women’s Law Center actively participated in the legislative
process by monitoring and taking positions on bills that address
domestic violence, sexual assault, family law, reproductive rights,
equal pay and other issues that impact women.
In FY2008, the Women’s Law Center:
• Monitored over 80 bills and submitted written and oral testimony
on 34 key bills
• Involved members in the legislative process by sending 30
legislative alerts to galvanize grassroots action
• Provided administrative staff support that enabled the Maryland
Legislative Agenda for Women (MLAW) to be an independent
voice for Maryland’s women in the legislative process.
THE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
PROVIDED BY
THE WOMEN’S LAW CENTER
made it possible for Maryland
Legislative Agenda for Women,
a statewide coalition of
women's groups, to
communicate effectively with
its members and other women’s
advocates to develop,
disseminate and support a
legislative agenda for women.
AMICUS AND COALITION EFFORTS
The Women’s Law Center signed on to amicus briefs in pivotal cases
and participated in coalitions to help provide decision makers with
information and perspective on issues affecting the legal rights of women.
Amicus efforts included support for Baby v. State, which gained national attention and addressed whether a
woman can withdraw consent to intercourse after penetration, and cases before the Supreme Court that involved
Title VII and Title IX claims. Federal legislation that addressed equal pay and unemployment issues was also
supported. Women’s Law Center staff members participated in committees and coalitions to help facilitate policy
changes that will positively impact the legal rights of women and increase access to justice, such as MSBA Delivery
of Legal Services Section Council, Domestic Violence Coordinating Committees, Marylanders for the Right to
Choose, and the Pro Bono Resource Center.
JUDICIAL SELECTIONS
Deeply committed to promoting a system that is free of gender bias, the Women’s Law Center interviews
and submits recommendations regarding candidates for judicial vacancies.
The Judicial Selections Committee is comprised of Women’s Law Center members who possess a wide range of
legal experience. One of our most active groups of volunteers, members of the committee conduct rigorous
interviews employing an objective, confidential process. Candidates are ranked using specific selection criteria
including judicial demeanor, integrity, experience, and commitment to a judicial system free of gender bias. The
Committee communicates its ranking and observations to the Judicial Nominating Commission and the Governor.
In FY2008, the Judicial Selections Committee interviewed 47 candidates for judicial openings.
VOLUNTEERS
2008
ANNUAL
REPORT
Volunteers are the key to the Women’s Law Center’s success. From hotline attorneys to law students
involved with the Students Supporting the Women’s Law Center at the University of Baltimore School of
Law and the University of Maryland School of Law, volunteers work side-by-side with staff to plan and
implement projects that change lives. We offer volunteer opportunities for all individuals who would like
to do their part to promote equality through the legal system.
EMPLOYMENT LAW INITIATIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
This dedicated group has played an instrumental role in the development
and continued success of our employment law initiative. The Committee’s
scope reaches from Hotline operational procedures to outreach and
marketing. Committee members worked actively with staff to plan the
launch of the Employment Law Hotline, draft Hotline intake forms, recruit
volunteer attorneys, update resource materials for volunteers, and provide
input on the content and design of outreach materials.
Volunteer
Spotlight
Their diligent work continues. The Committee closely evaluates the work of
the Hotline at quarterly meetings to ensure the Hotline effectively meets
the needs of the community and addresses the Women’s Law Center’s
mission. Recently, the Committee offered strategies and advice to the
Board of Directors regarding the expansion of the employment law
initiative. The Women’s Law Center is grateful to the Employment Law
Advisory Committee for the expertise and guidance it has generously given
to meet and exceed the expectations of our employment law initiative.
THANK YOU HOTLINE VOLUNTEERS
Jennifer Alexander
Pamela Ashby
Margaret Attanasio
Rubin Ballesteros
Zoa Barnes
Donna Beard
Kathleen Cahill
Denise Clark
Andrew Dansicker
Catherine Drummond
Gwenlynn D’Souza
Deborah Thompson Eisenberg
William Ferris
Thomas Gagliardo
Gregg Greenberg
Dorothy Haynes
Julie Janofsky
Daniel Katz
Mary Keating
Frederick Kobb
Neil Lebowitz
Stephen Lebau
Jennifer Lester
Martin Lessans
Rhonda Lipkin
Michael Malone
Sherae McNeal
Elizabeth Milito
David Preller
Letecia Rollins
Jill Savedoff
Joyce Smithey
Suzanne Snedegar
Linda Spevack
Heather Sunderman
EVENTS & MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES
2008
ANNUAL
REPORT
From our beginnings as a grassroots organization, members have been the core of the Women’s Law
Center. Our members challenge us and enable us to evolve with the changing times to make the most
difference in the lives of Maryland’s women and children. In turn, the Women’s Law Center continually
works to provide opportunities to keep members informed, involved and engaged. Last year, we
introduced a new event, Art for Change, and expanded our delicious networking event, Wine & Chocolate.
We celebrated our 35th anniversary by honoring three remarkable individuals at our Annual Meeting and
Awards Ceremony. We co-sponsored numerous events and conferences to provide educational
opportunities for our members. In addition to social events, communications with members increased
through e-newsletter messages about topics important to members, including legislative alerts.
ANNUAL MEETING AND AWARDS CEREMONY
The Women’s Law Center paid tribute to three individuals who have
worked tirelessly to advance international legal rights of women at its
2007 Annual Meeting. Honorees were:
•
•
•
Susana SáCouto, Director of the War Crimes Research Office at
American University Washington College of Law, who received the
22nd Annual Dorothy Beatty Award
Leslye E. Orloff, Associate Vice President and Director Immigrant
Women Program for Legal Momentum, who received the 15th
Annual Rosalyn B. Bell Award
Patricia Chiriboga-Roby, an attorney with Immigration Legal
Services at Catholic Charities, who received the Access to Justice
Award
The 2nd annual Wine & Chocolate, hosted by
Bikram Yoga in Hampden, gave members an
excuse to eat dessert first. Scrumptious treats
donated by some of Baltimore’s premiere
restaurants and chocolatiers were paired with
fine wines at this pre-dinner networking event.
FEATURED EVENTS SUPPORTED BY THE WOMEN’S LAW CENTER
•
Art for Change
•
Thanks to donations from local artists
and a hard-working Committee, the
Women’s Law Center’s first art sale
was a success. Guests shopped for
hand-crafted artwork on a late fall
afternoon at the cozy Sobo Café in
Federal Hill.
•
•
Having It Our Way: Women In Maryland’s Workplace Circa
2027: A free, full-day symposium about the current status of
employment law and an analysis of future changes needed to better
protect women and families.
From the Streets to the Courts: University of Maryland School of
Law Students Supporting the Women’s Law Center’s symposium
examining the relationship between prostitution and the legal system
Maryland Immigration Rights Fair: MEDOVI staff members
offered free legal consultation at this event organized by Catholic
Charities Hispanic Apostolate/Immigration Legal Services.
Morning Mixer with Eve Gartner: A morning mingle sponsored
by the Women’s Law Center was followed by a discussion about the
impact of Gonzales v. Carhart on women's reproductive rights led by
Ms. Gartner, who argued the case in front of the Supreme Court, at
this Planned Parenthood of Maryland event.
FINANCIALS
July 1, 2007—June 30, 2008
2008
ANNUAL
REPORT
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
INCOME
The Women’s Law Center of Maryland, Inc. Statement of
Activities and Change in Net Assets for the Year Ended on June
30, 2008 with Summarized Financial Information for 2007
Income
2008
Grants
$924,040
Contributions
$119,176
Annual Meeting
$22,735
Contract Income
$5,000
Donated Services & Facilities $76,660
Membership Dues
$10,779
Interest Income
$17,939
Other Income
$1,116
TOTAL
$1,177,445
2007
$879,851
$128,689
$18,940
$5,000
$59,497
$9,945
$18,966
$716
$1,121,604
Expenses
Program Services
Management & General
Fundraising
TOTAL
$962,778
$85,122
$44,616
$1,092,516
$848,186
$98,462
$62,295
$1,008,943
Change in Net Assets
Net Assets at Beginning of Year
Net Assets at End of Year
$84,929
$814,008
$898,937
$112,661
$701,347
$814,008
Contract
Income
Donated
Services &
Facilities
Dues
Interest Income
Other Income
Annual Meeting
Contributions
Grants
EXPENSES
Management
& General
Fundraising
Program
Services
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
The Women’s Law Center of Maryland, Inc. Statement of Financial Position as of June 30, 2008
with Summarized Financial Information for 2007 Assets
ASSETS
Current Assets
2008
Cash and Cash Equivalents $678,706
Grants Receivable, current
portion
$258,659
2007
$609,639
$166,003
Contributions Receivables
Prepaid Expense
$17,500
$9,106
$28,110
$12,652
Total Current Assets
Property and Equipment
Security Deposit
Grants receivable net of
current portion
$963,971
$24,900
$1,157
$816,404
$25,708
$1,157
$ -
$53,333
$990,028
$896,602
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
Current Liabilities
2008
2007
Accounts Payable
$2,974
$11,944
Accrued Payroll Expense
$27,910
$21,055
Refundable Advance
$60,207
$49,595
Total Current Liabilities $91,091
$82,594
Net Assets
Unrestricted: Undesignated
Unrestricted: Board
Designated
Temporarily Restricted
Total Net Assets
TOTAL LIABILITIES
AND NET ASSETS
$622,062
$404,406
$53,642
$223,223
$898,937
$147,620
$261,982
$814,008
$990,028
$896,602
WOMEN’S LAW CENTER SUPPORTERS
We recognize and thank the following donors who supported the Women’s Law Center
through general contributions, in-kind donations, dues, workplace giving, grants, event
sponsorships and volunteer efforts.
JUSTICE FUND DONORS
Legacy Circle
($5,000 and above)
Susan C. Elgin
Francine Krumholz
Sheela Murthy
Visionary Society
($2,500 - $4,999)
Peter Angelos
Venable Foundation
Benefactor Circle
($1,000—$2,499)
Elizabeth Caplan
Lynne M. Durbin
Leigh Goodmark
Amy Macht
Bobbie Steyer
Gustava Taler
Lois and Philip Macht
Philanthropic Fund
Safeway Foundation
Target
Advocacy Circle
($500—$999)
L. Tracy Brown
Danielle K. Citron
Sally Gold and Elliott Zulver
Philip Klein
Kathleen M. McDonald
Michele McDonald
Paula Krahn Merkle
Ginger Robinson
Elisabeth Sachs
Stephen and Sheila Sachs
Herbert and Vera Wells
Anonymous (2)
Liberty Club
($250—$499)
Francis Brown
Marianna I. Burt
Kathleen Cahill
Cynthia Callahan
Michele Curran
Susan M. Erlichman
Dorothy R. Fait
Jo Benson Fogel
Michael Hayes
Emily Hunt
Roann Nichols
Hon. Christopher Panos
Alexandra Strubing Paradise
Leslie S. Ries
Bryon L. Warnken
Daniel M. Zerivitz
Dragga, Callahan, Hannon,
Hessler & Willis
The Mediation Center
Anonymous (3)
Florence Byron Fowlkes
Daniel Goldstein
Alice Gorman
Richard Granat
Sharon Grosfeld
Lee Hendler
Ann F. Hoffman
Marla Hollandsworth
Ruth Clark Hooper
Margaret E. Johnson
Jeannette Karpay
Caroline S. Keating
Michael & Ellen Koplow
Sharon Krevor-Weisbaum
Julie E. Landau
Cheri Levin
Cynthia L. Lifson
Gwendolen McLeod
Sayra Wells Meyerhoff
JoAnn Mayer Orlinsky
Cecilia Paizs
Jennifer Pelton
Paula J. Peters
Equity Club
J. Paul Reiger
($100—$249)
Margaret Richlin
Sally D. Adkins
Hon. Mary Ellen Rinehardt
Boyce Ansley
Susan M. Ringler
Geraldine Aronin
Lynn Sassin
Mimi Azrael
Reena Shah
Sharon Bangert
Everett G. Sillers
Hon. Mary Ellen Barbera
Joan S. Sills
Winifred Borden
Patricia Smith
Sandra T. Brushart
Nancy S. Spritz
Kelly Bollinger Burke
Rebecca Taylor
Monna Gayle Clark
Lois Traub
Alisa G. Cummins
Elizabeth Trimble
Hon. Kathleen Dumais
Hon. Barbara Baer Waxman
Hon. Angela Eaves
Deborah Weimer
John Eidleman
Jill Wrigley
Deborah Thompson Eisenberg Abell Foundation
Melvina C. Ford
Anonymous (7)
WOMEN’S LAW CENTER SUPPORTERS
INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Jonathan Acton II
Hon. Sally Denison Adkins
Hon. Madeleine Albright
Jennifer Alexander
Fannie C. Alston
Peter Angelos
Boyce Ansley
Carla Dianne Apodaca
Janice Arado
Kimberly Arn
Mercia E. Arnold
Geraldine Aronin
Laila K. Atallah
Mimi Azrael
Bruce J. Babij
Deborah B. Bacharach
Rebecca Saybolt Bainum
Mary C. Baldwin
Sharon Bangert
Hon. Mary Ellen Barbera
Linda C. Barclay
Orlando Barnes
M. Lauree L. Barreca
Robert S. Beasley
Nikki Behre
Leslie G. Billman
Catherine Bledsoe
Barbara Blom
Steven Blume
Winifred Borden
Carencay Bowen
Cathy Brennan
Laura F. Brown
C. Christopher Brown
Francis Brown
L. Tracy Brown
Sandra T. Brushart
Jennifer Burdick
Kelly Bollinger Burke
Marianna I. Burt
Kathleen Cahill
Rebecca Caldwell
Cynthia Callahan
Laura C. Callahan-Mezan
Ellen A. Callegary
Hon. Evelyn Omega Cannon
Elizabeth Caplan
Richard Caplan
Maureen Carpin
Danielle K. Citron
Monna Gayle Clark
Kenya N. Colbert
Jeanette Cole
Natalie Collins
John J. Condliffe
Kate Condon
William Conrad
Hon. Charlotte M. Cooksey
Ellen S. Cooper
Hon. Mimi Cooper
John P. Corderman
Venise C. Cousin-Metts
Danielle Cover
Donna Cover
Alisa G. Cummins
Betsy Cunningham
Michele W. Curran
Mary Joel Davis
Hon. Nancy Davis-Loomis
Hon. Jacqueline E. Dawson
Kathryn Delahanty
Rieyn Delony
Katrina J. Dennis
Julie Dew
Claudia Diamond
Bridgid O. Donniez
Mary Alane Downs
Catherine A. Drummond
Hon. Kathleen Dumais
Lynne M. Durbin
Alice Gail Dvoskin
Hope B. Eastman
Thomas Eastman
Hon. Angela M. Eaves
Deloers E. Edwards
John Eidleman
Deborah Thompson Eisenberg
Susan Gelber Eisner
Susan C. Elgin
Elisabeth Eremita
Susan M. Erlichman
Dorothy R. Fait
Suzanne Farace
Brandy Fauntleroy
Joanna Fine
Mary Jane Fischer
Patricia M. Flanigan
Jo Benson Fogel
Melvina C. Ford
Florence Bryan Fowlkes
Susan Francis
Carolyn M. Frank
Dan A. Friedman
Debra Gardner
Risa J. Garon
Margaret R. Garret
Hon. Susan K. Gauvey
Elise Gelinas
Chrissy Gemmill
Manuel R. Geraldo
Deneen Gill
Dorcas Gilmore
Susan Goering
Sally B. Gold
Sharon E. Goldsmith
Daniel E. Goldstein
Heather Gomes
Louise Michaux Gonzales
Linda Goodman
Leigh Goodmark
Alice Gorman
Karen M. Gosnell
Victoria L. Grace
Richard S. Granat
Jodi Grant
Sharon Grosfeld
Diane Groth
Renee Guckert
Wes and Toni Guckert
Sandra R. Gutman
Carisa Hall
Monica Garcia Harms
Stacey Winakur Harris
Michael J. Hayes
Lee M. Hendler
Shelby & Coleman Herrod
Wendy Hess
Allen Hicks
Pamela Himmelrich
Darlene Hines
Ann F. Hoffman
WOMEN’S LAW CENTER SUPPORTERS
INDIVIDUAL DONORS Continued
Marla Hollandsworth
Ruth Clark Hooper
Lee Hopkins
Abigail Ross Hopper
Heather Hostetter
Kathleen Huber-Scott
Emily Hunt
Cheryl Kelley Jacobs
Robin Jacobs
Richard B. Jacobs
Margaret E. Johnson
Lisae C. Jordan
Wilhelm H. Joseph
Wendy Kahn
Dana K. Karangelen
Jeannette Karpay
Arlene Kaufman
Jessica Berman Kaufman
Caroline S. Keating
Mary T. Keating
Tammie Kelly
Barrett King
Bonnie A. Kirkland
Steve Kleeman
Philip Klein
Steven M. Klepper
Holly L. Knepper
Frederick L. Kobb
Kathryn Sullivan Kolar
Dionne Koller
Nadia Konstantinova
Frederick Singley Koontz
Michael & Ellen Koplow
Rebecca Korzec
Barbara Kraft
Elinore R. Krell
Sharon Krevor-Weisbaum
Francine Krumholz
Patty Kuzbida
Julie E. Landau
Kimberley Lang
Hon. Theresa A. Lawler
Ann M. Lembo
Dorothy J. Lennig
Cheri Wyron Levin
Phillip C. Levin
Susan Leviton
Jennifer Liaw
Cynthia L. Lifson
Alice Lilly
Rhonda B. Lipkin
Craig J. Little
Alison Loughran
Donna Loughran
Jacquelyn Lucy
Alexandria Lunn
Deborah Luxenberg
Amy Macht
Michael Malone
Kathy Mancusi
Connie G. Marvel
Allyn Massey
Hon. Albert J. Matricciani
Jean E. Matthews
Lorie A. Mayorga
Michele J. McDonald
Kathleen M. McDonald
Gwendolen McLeod
Paula Krahn Merkle
Sayra W. Meyerhoff
Elizabeth Milito
Jessica Morgan
Mindy Morrell
Marilyn C. Moses
Lindsay Moss
Jane Murphy
Mary V. Murphy
Kyleen A. Murray
Sheela Murthy
Jennifer Muskus
Christyne Neff
Roann Nichols
Christine Saverda Nielson
Regina L. Oldak
Margaret H. Oliver
Tricia D. O'Neill
Jo-Ann Mayer Orlinsky
Amanda Owens
Cecilia B. Paizs
Hon. Christopher L. Panos
Alexandra Strubing Paradise
Shirley Parry
Jennifer Pelton
Linda Eve Percy
Brian Perkins
Paula J. Peters
Paula Pitha-Rowe
Nancy Pollack
Carolyn I. Polowy
Kelly Powers
Alyssa Quinteros
Hon. Gale Rasin
Hon. Mae Catherine Reeves
Margaret G. Richlin
Gerald M. Richman
Cynthia A. Richmond
J. Paul Rieger, Jr.
Leslie S. Ries
Hon. Mary Ellen T. Rinehardt
Susan M. Ringler
Donna K. Rismiller
Ginger Robinson
Harriett Robinson
Ria P. Rochvarg
Stanley L. Rodbell
Patience Roland
Karen Rothenberg
Valerie Rupp
Laurence A. Ruth
Hon. Stephen H. Sachs
Sheila K. Sachs
Elisabeth Sachs
Joy Sakamoto-Wengel
Mary Sanders
Lynn B. Sassin
Diana M. Savit
Mark F. Scurti
Wendy Seiden
Reena Shah
Stephen A. Shectel
Kathleen Shemer
Judith Shub-Condliffe
Hon. Nancy B. Shuger
Alison Silber
Amy Silberman
Everett G. Sillers
Joan H. Sills
WOMEN’S LAW CENTER SUPPORTERS
INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Continued
Paula Skedsvold
Patricia A. Smith
Ellen Smith
Sharron S. Smith
Nancy S. Spritz
Nevett Steele
Susan R. Steinberg
Betty A. Stemley
Elyce Stern
Bobbie Steyer
Ferrier Stillman
Philip Strubing
Kathryn Sullivan
Barbara G. Swain
Gustava Taler
Rebecca Kelly Taylor
Lisa Telsch
Gregory TenEyck
Carolyn H. Thaler
Linda Hitt Thatcher
Shawn Theron
Debra Thomas
Kimberly Thorne
Lois Traub
Elizabeth H. Trimble
Gwen Tromley
Mary Vincitore
M. Kim Ward
Hazel A. Warnick
Byron L. Warnken
Randy S. Wase
Hon. Barbara Baer Waxman
Deborah Weimer
Lynn F. Weinberg
Alyssa Weinstein
Nancy Weller
Herbert & Vera Wells
Lindsey White
Craig Williams
Alicia Wilson
Leslie S. Winner
Jill Wrigley
Nina Wu
Daniel Zerivitz
Marla Zide
Margaret Zierdt
Elliott Zulver
Anonymous (20)
FOUNDATIONS AND
FUNDERS
Administrative Office of the
Courts
Altria Doors of Hope
Marjorie Cook Family Fund
Department of Human
Resources, Office of Victim
Services
Governor’s Office of Crime
Control and Prevention
Hoffberger Foundation
Lois and Philip Macht
Philanthropic Fund
Maryland Legal Services
Corporation
Lyn P. Meyerhoff Foundation
Open Society Institute
Safeway Foundation
Target
United Jewish Endowment Fund
United Way of Central Maryland
Harry and Jeanette Weinberg
Foundation
Venable Foundation
BUSINESSES AND FIRMS
American University
Avery & Upton
Baltimore Business Journal
The Daily Record
Dragga, Callahan, Hannon,
Hessler & Willis, LLP
Fait, Wise & DiLima, LLP
Gallagher, Evelius & Jones,
LLP
Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman,
Hoffberger & Hollander, LLC
Honeywell
Immigration Legal Services/
Catholic Charities
Kaufman, Ries and Elgin, PA
Kerr McDonald, LLP
Legal Momentum
Lerch, Early & Brewer Chartered
Law Office of Sally Gold
The Mediation Center
Mudd, Harrison & Burch, LLP
Muskus & Muskus, LLC
Salsbury, Clements, Bekman,
Marder & Adkins, LLC
Savit & Szymkowicz, LLP
Shemer Bar Review
Taylor & Ryan , LLC
Turnbull, Nicholson & Sanders,
PA
University of Baltimore School
of Law
University of Maryland, School
of Law
Venable, LLP
Wase, Wase & Grace, LLC
Weinberg, Schwartz and
Steyer, LLC
WOMEN’S LAW CENTER SUPPORTERS
REDUCED FEE CUSTODY PROJECT ATTORNEYS
Stacey Andersen
Kimberly Arn
Brad Bauhof
Harry Baumohl
Victor Berger
Toni Boettcher
Harold Boyd
Judith Brunton
Kelly Bollinger Burke
Aurora Cabrales
Michael J. Cerri
Fred Cohen
Natalie Collins
Debra Cromwell
Stephen Cullen
Elmer Davis
Diana Denrich
Jennifer Esworthy
Amy Feldman
Larry Feldman
Joanna Fine
Judith Hamilton
Stacey Winakur Harris
Eunice Hogan
Chandra Walker Holloway
Ronald P. Jackson, Jr.
Robin Jensen
Gwendolyn Johnson
Steven Kleeman
Nancy Knapp
Peter Korzenewski
Susan Land
Max Lauten
Nancy Levin
Tamala Lunn
Rebecca Magaziner
Todd Mohink
Eric Mueller
IN-KIND
CONTRIBUTIONS
American Visionary Arts
Museum
Art with a Heart
Baltimore Business Journal
Baltimore Chapter – National
Organization for Women
Baltimore Choral Arts Society
Bikram Yoga Hampden
B & O Railroad Museum
Cazbar Restaurant
Centerstage
Circuit Court for Baltimore City
Circuit Court for Baltimore
County
Circuit Court for Carroll County
Daedalus Books
Daily Record
Dogwood Deli
Indigma Restaurant
Ivy Bookstore
Ixia Restaurant
Jewish Museum of Maryland
Mad River Bar and Grille
Ma Petite Shoe
Mars Supermarkets
MICPEL
Naron Chocolates
National Museum of Dentistry
One World Café
Otterbein’s Bakery
A People United
Senator Theatre
Spirits
Sobo Café
Ten Thousand Villages
Tenzo Artisan
Tremont Grand
Wine Source
Whole Foods Market
Wockenfuss
Word of Mouse
Harvey Okun
Carrie Polley
Reuven Poupko
David Preller, Jr.
Jason Ridgell
Schniqua Roberts
Monica Scherer
Mollie Shuman
Steven Silberg
Robert Smith
Jennifer Spresser-Krivosh
A. Jean Steigelman
Arlene Thompson
Shauntese Curry Trye
Marty Voekel-Hanssen
Annamaria Walsh
Marla Zide
Donya Zimmerman
DONATIONS IN HONOR
OF ALEX STRUBING
PARADISE
Boyce Ansley
Louisa C. Barrett
Richard Baruch
Kate Condon
Florence Bryan Fowlkes
Betsy F. Gorman
Shelby & Coleman Herrod
Ruth Clark Hooper
Caroline S. Keating
Philip Strubing
Herbert & Vera Wells
Anonymous (4)
We regret any omissions or
inaccuracies that may appear
in the list above and welcome
hearing from you regarding
any corrections.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
MD
Permit No.
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Suite 201
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2008
ANNUAL
REPORT
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