Sara Dansie Jones ('01): My vision of AWLF is to provide a strong network which women law graduates can access to help them succeed in whatever pursuit they choose, be it their pursuits in law, in the community, in church, or in parenting. The need I saw was that BYU women law graduates like women law graduates from other schools, had so many choices, yet each choice represents its own set of challenges. In addition, I saw a lack of mentorship because each choice presents its own form of isolation. Women who choose to be mothers often appreciate being able to communicate and exchange ideas with other educated mothers. Women who choose a career, often have to look outside of their law firm or agency for adequate support from other female professionals. Women who choose to balance a career with children have a whole set of other issues, which don't necessarily coincide with the goals or aspirations of other women in their firm. So, I wanted to capitalize on the one commonality that provides an immediate bond -- being a woman law school graduate. When I look at the women who founded AWLF, I recognize that we all have used our law degree differently, but, importantly, respect each other's choices.
Kimberly Mantz Swallow ('00): During a busy session of BYU Law School Alumni Association meetings in 2003, Sara Jones and I stopped in the hall to say 'hello' and catch-up on children, husbands, work, church, friends, etc. We found ourselves discussing how challenging it was to be juggling some many roles, such as wife, mother, church member, homemaker and attorney. As the idea of creating the AWLF developed, I began to envision an organization that would provide mentoring from those who have "been there, done that" and then give others the opportunity to mentor those just stepping out onto the path. I know I have an innate desire to want to share and nurture others and in turn seek that guidance from others that have greater wisdom that I do. I felt that there was a need to connect BYU law school graduate women together to serve the emotional, professional, and spiritual needs of its members while raising awareness to our peers about the unique challenges that women face as they leave the law school.
