July 2023 President's Letter

Happy 4th of July! Also known as Independence Day, the day the United States celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The 247th birthday of our great nation. Did you know that Congress voted for independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776, that the Declaration of Independence wasn’t signed by everyone until August 2, 1776, and that July 4th did not become a federal holiday until 1870?

The United States Constitution was signed in 1787, ratified in 1788, and was effective March 1789, a little over 11 years after the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson believed that a country’s constitution should be rewritten every 19 years. Jefferson wrote a lengthy letter, dated September 6, 1789, on the subject to James Madison in which he wrote, “The question Whether one generation of men has a right to bind another, seems never to have been started on (either side of the Atlantic) … Yet it is a question of such consequences as not only merit decision, but place also, among the fundamental principles of every government.” Interesting. If that were the case, how would that affect precedence, or impact the third but equal branch government, and its decisions in cases in which they interpret the Constitution. Would we be better or worse off considering recent events? Something to think about.

Summer is upon us, and I hope you are making time to be with family and friends. We have several webinars scheduled for July, which are posted on our website. On July 20, we will host a ZOOM gathering for all new NAWJ members who joined from January 2023 to the present. This will provide an opportunity for new members to meet the Board and Committee Chairs, hear from leadership about NAWJ activities and initiatives, and learn about our new members.

We continue to support the Afghan Women Judges who, through the extensive coordinated efforts of NAWJ and IAWJ members, so bravely escaped their Country when the Taliban took over. We have partnered with JAMS, Inc through its Foundation, to provide some financial assistance to the Afghan Women Judges who have relocated and are trying to assimilate in the United States.

The Call for Board Nominations has been posted. If you’re interested in a Board position, the nomination deadline is August 4, 2023. Registration for the 2023 Annual Conference is now open. Early bird registration ends July 31st. Please join us for what is shaping up to be an exciting line up of programs and special guest speakers.

Respectfully submitted,
Judge Toni E. Clarke (Ret)
President, NAWJ