The Women Attorneys Association of Topeka celebrated its 25th silver anniversary on October 22, 2009, at the Kansas History Museum. Judges Deanell Tacha and Mary Beck Briscoe, of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, gave give remarks during the program.  A tree was dedicated the following morning, October 23, on the northeast corner of the grounds of the Kansas Judicial Center.

In 1982 when women comprised approximately 7% of the legal profession in the United States, Topeka attorneys Cathy Reeder and Barb Rankin believed that a formal association of women attorneys would provide networking, education, and encouragement to those women seeking judicial, political, and other professional opportunities.

Twenty-five people attended the first organizational meeting in the fall of 1983. In 1984 the Women Attorneys Association of Topeka (WAAT) was established.  Cathy Reeder served as WAAT’s first president followed by Barb Rankin.  In addition to Reeder and Rankin, Lori Callahan, Marty Snyder, Jill Michaux, Martha Hodgesmith, Alleen Castellanii and Marla Luckert were instrumental in developing the organization.

"Throughout the years, WAAT has encouraged women lawyers to participate in other professional organizations, to seek leadership roles in those organizations, to take active roles in the judicial selection process, and to seek appointments to the bench.  WAAT has believed from the beginning that a diverse bar and a diverse bench benefit not just the profession, but the larger community,” said founding member Cathy Reeder. 

WAAT continues to engage in a variety of activities that meet its mission of supporting women attorneys and that also raise awareness of issues important to women in the community.  Those activities include:

* hosting monthly luncheons where members can socialize, network and hear speakers on topics of interest to women attorneys

* initiating an annual conference held in Lindsborg, Kansas, that provides a medley of CLE, networking, fun, and friendship

* gathering the oral histories of women who practiced law in the 1950s and 1960s and publishing a book: Journeys on the Road Less Traveled

* bringing Sarah Buel, a nationally recognized attorney and expert on domestic violence to Topeka to train the medical community, attorneys, social workers and other professionals in the various aspects of domestic violence

* holding an annual "Just Desserts" fundraiser to support the Washburn Women's Alliance

* establishing the "Read to Me" program aimed at encouraging young, disadvantaged mothers to read to their children

* developing a mentorship program for women law students at Washburn and KU

* providing affordable ethics CLE every spring