Fordham Law Women (FLW) offers community, academic support, and career guidance for students. For Women’s History Month, FLW presidents Celine Alhout ’25 and Danielle Poole ’26 shared their views on how FLW is promoting female mentorship, advancing strategic networking opportunities, and celebrating the women in law who have paved the way for current and future generations of legal professionals.
Why is it important to have FLW at Fordham Law School?
Since 1971, FLW has provided a welcoming and safe environment for all students and especially women. Although women now account for half of law school graduates and firm associates, on average, less than 20% of firm partners are women and around 12% of managing partners are women in the United States, according to the American Bar Association. We want to change those statistics and set female students up for long-term success in their professions. Our programming supports students in recognizing and fulfilling their potential.
What do you enjoy most about being a part of FLW and why?
FLW provides a wonderful outlet to develop relationships with various members of the Fordham Law community. Our programs often include Fordham Law alumnae, who are consistently willing to provide helpful advice in navigating law school and the job search process. The opportunity to meaningfully connect with so many people is tremendously rewarding and proactive in building a supportive, uplifting community.
How does FLW support women law students’ professional development and networking opportunities?
FLW supports women law students through our mentorship program, regular Lunch & Learn panels, and End of Year Banquet. Our mentorship program pairs 1Ls with upper-level students and alumnae. Mentors provide guidance on topics like networking and recruitment, studying for exams, and managing the daily workload. Our lunch & learn events host alumnae speakers, providing students a fantastic opportunity to connect with Fordham alumnae and ask questions in a welcoming environment. FLW’s annual End of Year Banquet also serves as an excellent networking opportunity, where our members and attorneys from our different sponsorship firms can connect over food and drinks. We also present awards to our alumnae and student mentors of the year!
What unique challenges do women in law school face?
While women make up more than half of the students at Fordham Law, there are still real concerns about how women will navigate their legal careers, starting with their roles in law school. Women often face gender discrimination and stereotyping, microaggressions, imposter syndrome, and a lack of representation. FLW creates spaces where women students feel empowered to voice their questions and opinions. We also invite female alumnae to speak with our members about how they have handled difficult situations in their careers that stemmed from their identities as women, including working in male-dominated groups, balancing work and motherhood, and responding to microaggressions at work. By initiating these conversations, we hope that our female peers can develop professional identities they are proud of and tackle problems they encounter in the workplace.
Why is it important to celebrate Women’s History Month?
It’s extremely important to celebrate Women’s History Month to recognize women trailblazers, highlight historically underrepresented voices, and continue building supportive, uplifting environments for women. Only 108 years ago, women were first allowed to register for courses at Fordham Law. Women have had to shatter obstacle after obstacle to not only access but take full advantage of opportunities traditionally denied to them. It’s valuable to learn how women in the past tackled gender-related issues so that we can continue implementing and progressing those strategies going forward.
What does FLW have in store for Women’s History Month?
This year, the Seventh Annual Symposium was held on March 6th at the law school and online, featuring three panels that will explore the unique issues women face in the modern workplace. Our End of Year Banquet will be held at The Empire Hotel in March as well. This is an exciting event where members can connect with practicing attorneys from our sponsorship firms and have an opportunity to get to know each other outside of the classroom.
How can students get involved in March and year round?
Students interested in serving in a FLW leadership role should also keep an eye out for our Board applications opening in March. Year round, we host regular wellness and community building events, such as workout classes at Equinox, a Bowling Night, and a Rent the Runway Try-On Event. During exam periods, FLW hosts snack breaks to support students during the most stressful times of the year. Towards the end of the Spring semester, we also organize a panel of upper-level students who talk with 1L members about picking upper-level classes and getting involved in the numerous journals and competition teams at Fordham.
What’s the best way for students to stay connected with FLW and stay in touch?
Students can follow FLW’s Instagram (@fordhamlawwomen) and LinkedIn (Fordham Law Women). Please email us (fordhamlawwomen@fordham.edu) to be added to our weekly newsletter mailing list or with any thoughts or questions.