Rita C. Davidson Award
This Award was established in 1985 to honor individuals who have contributed to the integrity of the legal profession, advanced the interests of women engaged in the practice of law, promoted legal education, aided in the administration of justice, and advanced the status of women in society and the legal profession. The Award is the highest honor of our organization and is named for the late Honorable Rita C. Davidson, a long-time WBA member who was the first Award recipient.
To nominate an individual for the Rita C. Davidson Award / To recommend an individual for the Rita C. Davidson Award, please contact us.
Award Recipients
| Year | Awarded To | Media |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Donna E. Van Scoy | |
| 2023 | Justice Michele D. Hotten | |
| 2022 | The Honorable Angela M. Eaves | |
| 2019 | Adrienne A. Jones | |
| 2018 | Yun Jung Yang | |
| 2018 | Michelle Daugherty Siri | |
| 2017 | The Honorable Shirley M. Watts | |
| 2016 | Madam Secretary Madeleine Albright | Watch the video |
| 2015 | Sheila Sachs | |
| 2014 | Angela D. Alsobrooks | |
| 2014 | The Honorable Louise G. Scrivener | |
| 2013 | Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg | Watch the video |
| 2012 | Governor Martin O’Malley | |
| 2012 | The Honorable Catherine Curran O’Malley | |
| 2011 | The Honorable Mary Ellen Barbera | |
| 2010 | The Honorable Kathleen M. Dumais | |
| 2010 | The Honorable Ellen Lipton Hollander | |
| 2009 | The Honorable Cynthia S. Miraglia | |
| 2009 | The Honorable Toni Evon Clarke | |
| 2008 | The Honorable Lynne A. Battaglia | |
| 2007 | The Honorable Ann Newman Sundt | |
| 2007 | The Honorable Kathleen O’Ferrall Friedman | |
| 2006 | Marion Wright Edleman | |
| 2005 | Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor | |
| 2004 | The Honorable Deborah K. Chasanow | |
| 2003 | Susan L Bayly | |
| 2002 | The Honorable Ann S. Harrington | |
| 2001 | Chief Judge Robert E. Bell | |
| 2000 | Pamela J. White | |
| 1999 | The Honorable Sally D. Adkins | |
| 1999 | The Honorable Mabel E. Houze Hubbard | |
| 1998 | The Honorable Sharon M. Grosfeld | |
| 1997 | The Honorable Diane G. Motz | |
| 1996 | Governor Parris Glendening | |
| 1995 | The Honorable Irma Raker | |
| 1994 | The Honorable Barabara Kerr Howe | |
| 1993 | The Honorable Theresa Nolan | |
| 1992 | Chief Judge Robert C. Murphy | |
| 1991 | The Honorable Mary Arabian | |
| 1990 | The Honorable Mary Ellen Rinehardt | |
| 1989 | The Honorable Bess Lavine | |
| 1988 | The Honorable Rosalyn B. Bell | |
| 1987 | The Honorable Martha Wyatt | |
| 1986 | Jeannette Wolman | |
| 1985 | Rita C. Davidson |