Women’s Bar Association of Western Pennsylvania
About Women’s Bar Association of Western Pennsylvania
Since its founding in 1988 by a group of women attorneys in Allegheny County, the Women's Bar Association of Western Pennsylvania has been a catalyst for change in the legal profession. The WBA was established in response to documented gender discrimination in the courts and emerged from the Ad Hoc Committee to Eliminate Gender Bias, reflecting the organization's deep commitment to addressing systemic inequalities. Over three decades of service to Pittsburgh and the broader Western Pennsylvania legal community, the WBA has grown from addressing the unique needs of female practitioners into a comprehensive professional organization that advocates for gender and racial equality throughout the judiciary and legal profession. The organization's mission focuses on creating meaningful opportunities for women in law while actively working to eliminate bias in courts and legal practice. The WBA celebrates milestones by honoring individuals who have dedicated themselves to advancing equality, recognizing leaders like Carol Hesz, Esq., whose decades of mentorship and advocacy have shaped the organization and inspired the next generation of women attorneys and judges. Today, the WBA maintains an engaged membership governed by an Executive Committee that meets regularly throughout the year. The organization invites attorneys, judges, and law students throughout Western Pennsylvania to join in its mission of fostering professional growth, building supportive networks, and creating a more equitable legal profession for all women practitioners in the Pittsburgh region.