UC's Williams to be honored as a Career Woman of Achievement on network TV program

Verna L. Williams, University of Cincinnati College of Law dean and Nippert Professor of Law, will be among eight Cincinnati-area women honored as YWCA Career Women of Achievement for 2020. This year, the annual event will be broadcast as a one-hour on network television program at 7 p.m., June 18. Viewers can watch the show on Local 12-WKRC.

“Rather than waiting until next spring to hold our annual luncheon or attempting to organize a virtual event, we are meeting the COVID-19 crisis head-on by transforming the previously- scheduled May 6 luncheon into a television event…” said YWCA president and CEO Barbara C. Perez in the organization's official announcement.

All award honorees will be recognized, as well as the student scholarship recipients. In addition, the new program format brings an opportunity to educate the community about the impact of the pandemic on the tristate’s domestic violence shelter services and programs.  

The YWCA Career Women of Achievement award recognizes local women for their professional success, community service, leadership and vision. Williams, the first African American to lead UC’s College of Law and one of just a handful of African American women to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court, joined Cincinnati Law 19 years ago and became known as an authority on family law, gender discrimination, constitutional law and social justice. During her tenure as interim dean and now dean of the law school, she helped create The Help Center, increasing access to justice for unrepresented people, and Ohio’s only law school housed “law firm” that provides affordable legal representation and career experience for law school students. Additionally, she has been recognized by the Black Lawyers of Cincinnati as the 2020 Distinguished Award Recipient, by the Lawyers of Color as a 2020 Power List honoree, and by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber as part of their efforts to recognize African American leaders.

YWCA Greater Cincinnati names 2020 Career Women of Achievement (Cincinnati Enquirer article)

UC Law Dean among eight women honored by YWCA Greater Cincinnati  (UC News)