The scholarships were awarded to Judges Leslie Alden and Renee Worke and Justice Fernande Duffly. Judge Alden of Fairfax, Virginia, received a $2,500 reimbursement of expenses for attendance at NAWJ’s 2001 Annual Conference. She has donated her award to be used as seed money for the project. Judge Worke of Waseca, Minnesota, and Justice Duffly of the Massachusetts Court of Appeals, each received $400 reimbursement of fees.

"The projects epitomize the nature of NAWJ's membership -- a group striving to improve our judicial system not only for the strong, but also for the weak,” said NAWJ president judge Noel Anketell Kramer. “With these efforts, NAWJ will make a significant difference in the courts of America.”

Judge Alden’s paper proposes a wide-ranging effort by NAWJ to educate judges about the substantial body of international law which has become part of the governing law in the United States. That law includes human rights treaties, covenants and conventions that affect domestic violence, discrimination against women and children, racism, poverty, police brutality and treatment of the elderly.

According to Judge Kramer, the NAWJ, with members in all 50 U.S. states, is uniquely positioned to teach judges about this body of law.

“LexisNexis is proud to support the important work of NAWJ,” said Matt Cegelis, marketing manager for state and local governments. “Its innovative programs to ensure equal justice for women and vulnerable populations who come before the courts are unique and much needed.”

Judge Worke's paper explores sentencing alternatives for women living in rural areas and considers the special economic and childcare difficulties faced by women arrested in rural areas.

Justice Duffly's paper focuses on the effect substance abuse has on the resolution of non-criminal cases involving families. This includes custody and visitation issues, housing issues and neglect and probate cases. Justice Duffly has written a protocol to address the issue of access to children in these types of cases.

About NAWJ

The National Association of Women Judges (www.nawj.org) includes judges from all 50 states and all levels of the judiciary. It was founded in 1979 with the primary purpose to ensure equal justice for women and vulnerable populations who come before the courts. It uses judicial education as a primary tool to achieve its goal. Current projects involve educating the judiciary about the impact of immigration laws on families in court; the consequences of genetic mapping on the privacy and rights of individuals; the treatment of women prisoners; and gender bias in the courts. For more information, please contact the national office at (202) 393-0222, fax (202) 393-0125, or via email at nawj@nawj.org.

About LexisNexis

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