Remarks at “The Power of Women’s Voices” – By Muhammad U. Faridi, President

Good evening everyone.  It is my great privilege to welcome you to today’s event, “The Power of Women’s Voices: We Have Something to Say.”  On behalf of the New York City Bar Association, I extend my deepest gratitude to the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission and all of the co-sponsors for organizing this important program and for their unwavering commitment to advancing equal justice.

Tonight, we gather to honor the women who have raised their voices—who have refused to be silent in the face of injustice, who have fought for equality, and who have changed the legal profession and our society for the better.  The legacy of these trailblazers is a reminder that progress is not inevitable; it is the result of courage, persistence, and the refusal to accept the status quo.

But as we celebrate these champions of justice, we must also take a moment to acknowledge history—including our own.  The New York City Bar Association, for much of its existence, did not live up to the values of inclusivity and equality that we champion today.  For decades, women and people of color were excluded from membership.  The very people whose voices we celebrate today—those who fought for justice—were not welcome in our ranks.

That is an uncomfortable truth, but one we must recognize.  Because acknowledging the past is essential to ensuring that we never repeat it.  And the truth is, we have made progress—not as quickly as we should have, not as completely as we must—but progress nonetheless.  And much of that progress is due to the leadership of women lawyers who demanded a seat at the table and, in many cases, built their own tables when none were offered.

Today, the City Bar is proud to stand for diversity, equity, and inclusion.  We see it in the work of our committees, in the leadership of women lawyers who continue to push our profession forward, and in the commitments we have made to ensuring that justice is not just an aspiration, but a reality for all.

That is why tonight’s conversation is so critical.  The fight for equality is not finished.  Women’s voices continue to be a driving force for change, and it is our responsibility to listen, to amplify, and to act.

So, I thank each of you for being here, for lending your voice to this cause, and for continuing the work of those who came before us.  Their voices changed history.  Ours must shape the future.

Thank you.