Oral Histories of Women Trailblazers in the Law, a project of the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession, prepares the oral histories of women pioneers in the legal profession nationwide. Specially-trained lawyer volunteers record the histories of leading women practitioners, public interest lawyers, judges, and legal academicians. Each individual history commissioned by the project involves (1) pre-interview research on the woman to be interviewed, (2) a series of audiotaped interviews, (3) the transcription of the audiotaped interviews, and, as possible, (4) a short videotaped interview.

We have lived to witness history in the making and have had the privilege of knowing many of the pioneering women in the legal profession who have contributed greatly to the dramatic advances of women in the law, in the profession, and in our society. But with each new day, we risk losing yet another of these pioneers without memorializing her story in her own voice and preserving her living image on film for future generations. Given the relentless march of time, there is a unique urgency to the Women Trailblazers project: It is truly a “now or never” proposition.

Although there are existing oral histories of some women lawyers and judges in repositories scattered across the country, Oral Histories of Women Trailblazers in the Law is the only comprehensive nationwide project devoted specifically and exclusively to capturing, recording, and preserving the histories of pioneering women lawyers in their own voices and video images.  The project will also serve as a central source of information on the location and availability of other existing oral histories of women in the profession.

Oral Histories of Women Trailblazers in the Law is being managed by director Linda Ferren, whose extensive expertise in the field includes serving as executive director of the Historical Society of the D. C. Circuit where, among other things, she developed and has directed an oral history project. Other technical and support personnel will be employed as necessary.

Oral Histories of Women Trailblazers in the Law was designed with the universe of potential end uses for the oral histories in mind. Researchers, scholars, and historians will be able to draw on the histories when they are researching or writing about an individual interviewee or a particular group of women. Educators may use the histories in the preparation of curriculum modules. In addition, the histories may be used as background information for the making of documentary films. Bar associations across the country also may use the histories to develop books, videos, or films.