24: Gender Expectations and Stereotypes Part III

Women law student organizations tend to have similar aims. Some of the chief issues that pop up on the web sites of these organizations is the goal of connecting women with firms for potential job placement, ensuring success in the classroom, mentorship via the organization, as well as generally advocating women's rights and women's causes. Yale Law School's organization Yale Law Women counts is mission as the promotion of "the interests of women within the law school and beyond." That organization intends on carrying out that mission by encouraging

"Debate and discussion of issues pertaining to women and gender broadly defined; promotes speech and action by YLW members on issues of import to women; devotes resources to student support and professional development; recognizes and fosters outstanding achievement; and advocates in service of women's interests in society."

Meanwhile, the University of California: Berkeley's group Boalt Hall Women's Association offers a speaker series that brings women leaders to the organization to hold lunchtime and evening talks on topics ranging from legal career paths to the balance of work and life. Communication seems to be the aim of this organization, which also sets up advice sessions bringing together women at different class levels, and informal mentorships between women at different class levels.

Harvard Law School's Women's Law Association seems vested in the entire career of its members, providing first year guidance through career development. They also appear to be the most open of these three organizations, and note that all law students are encouraged to participate in their activities. This leads one to believe that this organization may be the most forward-thinking of the trio in that they are not segregating themselves from their male counterparts, but attempting to include them in the discussion and increasing movement of women into the world of law.