MWLA emphasizes the importance of giving back to the community through projects that benefit charitable organizations, the provision of scholarships to outstanding law students, and pro bono work. The Association awards a scholarship each year in honor of MWLA’s first President, Martha Gerald, to one outstanding female law student at the University of Mississippi School of Law or the Mississippi College School of Law.
MWLA also supports the Evelyn Gandy Lecture Series presented each Spring by the Women in the Profession Committee of the Mississippi Bar. We encourage our members to attend this event and many members of our leadership regularly attend. MWLA also funds four scholarships each year to allow law students to experience this wonderful event.
Each membership year, the MWLA Board of Directors also selects several worthy projects or organizations to support by either devoting the time of our leadership and encouraging the same of our members, or providing a financial contribution to the selected benefactor – or both. We will continue to update this section with information on the selected projects and we always welcome more information on potential worthwhile opportunities for us to continue to serve our State through lending our support to projects or other organizations that share our goals.
Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project
This year, MWLA is excited to once again partner with the Mississppi Volunteer Lawyers Project. MVLP is the nation’s first formal association of a state bar association, The Mississippi Bar, and the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). MVLP’s long-standing relationship with The Mississippi Bar and the LSC has resulted in a professional and productive partnership, with attorneys unselfishly offering their time and talents to serve Mississippi’s poor and less fortunate.
MVLP assists clients with domestic matters exclusively. They are grateful to its volunteers for the sacrifices they make to change the lives of those in need. Without the contributions and support of volunteers and partners, MVLP could not have reached out to so many Mississippians in the broader effort to ensure equal access to justice for all.
MVLP needs volunteers to accept cases, answer questions on their legal line, staff clinics, and monetary donations.
Dress for Success
MWLA members are encouraged to donate new and gently-worn suits to women who are re-entering the workforce. The mission of Dress for Success Metro Jackson is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing them with professional attire, a network of support, and career development tools. Members should bring dry-cleaned suits and other professional attire to membership meetings and other MWLA events for donation to Dress for Success. Click here to read the Donation Guidelines.
Donation Guidelines
All items must be:
- Dry-cleaned and in excellent condition
- On hangers
- No more than 5 years old
Clothing donations accepted are as follows:
- Business Suits (skirts and/or pants)
- Blouses (pressed and on hangers)
- New Pantyhose/Stockings
- New or Nearly New Shoes (black, brown & blue)
- Scarves, Purses, Portfolios (black, brown & blue)
- Belts and Jewelry
- Unused Cosmetics
Clothing donations not accepted are as follows:
- Velvet
- Suede
- Silk
- Denim
- Sleep wear
- Men’s Clothing
- Corduroy
- Sweaters
- 1-Piece Dresses
- Used Undergarments
- Used Pantyhose
- Used Cosmetics
- Donations in garbage bags
- Donations filled with smoke