I was introduced to Michelle due to her amazing advocacy work at the Women’s Law Center of Maryland. She kindly granted me an interview and shared the work that she and the Women’s Law Center of Maryland are doing. I was amazed and impressed. So of course, I dug deeper and asked Michelle how she does it all and if she has any secrets for the rest of us career women.
In this interview, Michelle shares her story and her proactive career advice for women.
We will also cover, how Michelle leads the Women’s Law Center of Maryland to advocate and fight for women’s rights surrounding:
- Sexual harassment loopholes in Maryland’s legislative system
- Reproductive health care for women in prison
- Sex Ed, birth control for college campuses
- Rights for rape survivors
- Prosecuting sexual predators
- Protecting women from the Mommy Track
Michelle’s story and career advice for women
I was a litigator in private practice for about five years before I had my first child. (I now have two boys). And, as many of you can guess, it wasn’t a very family friendly work environment. However, I was on the accelerated Partner track and really liked the work that I was doing. But, I had a baby, and was now a mommy… So, I needed to make a professional shift that would allow me to do both.
Attorney General’s Office
I left private practice and went to work at the Attorney General’s office. A perfect fit as it allowed me to balance being a litigator and a mother. However, I still wanted more. I wanted to make a difference in the lives of women. I turned to advocacy work and became involved with Planned Parenthood – eventually becoming board president.
Advocacy work called to me. I was so passionate about it. It was at this time that I started toying with the idea of leaving the practice of law and going into the nonprofit space. But, I loved being a lawyer. It was my dream since the 6th grade.
I was then recruited by a friend to the Social Security Administration for appellate writing. The big appeal was that I could work from home 3 days a week.
The very same week I started at Social Security Administration, the posting for this job went out– Executive Director for The Women’s Law Center of Maryland. I saw it and thought “UGH! This looks like a perfect fit. Too bad I just started another job!” I deleted the posting and didn’t give it a second thought.
It wasn’t until two friends from two different parts of my life forwarded the job posting to me, encouraging me to think about it. So, I got honest with myself. I knew that even though I had a great job at Social Security, my passion and heart would always be in advocacy work for women. I also knew that if I waited for the perfect time, it was never going to happen. So, I applied, and the rest is history.
Words of wisdom for other women
If an opportunity comes your way that seems like a dream job, apply for it. You never know. Even if you feel unqualified, try. I too felt this way when I applied for Executive Director at The Women’s Law Center of Maryland. The Board of Directors took a chance on me. Someone will take a chance on you too. Don’t let your own fears and self-doubt hold you back.
Giving women a solid ground to work from
Our advocacy work is centered around the physical safety, economic security, and bodily autonomy of women throughout the state of Maryland. The Women’s Law Center of Maryland monitors around 200 legislative Bills and provides testimony for many of them. “Me Too” is a big movement for us.
We work tirelessly on Bills year after year. Often the first year a Bill is introduced, the hope is to get people thinking about it. At first, the Bill is just a concept by a legislature or advocate. It likely doesn’t yet have the input of the community, stakeholders and businesses. Most legislative Bills take years of work, and it’s our job at the Women’s Law Center of Maryland to determine:
- What we need to do to get a Bill passed
- Who do we need at the table
- What can we tweak
and from there we just keep going…
Closing Loopholes in Sexual Harassment Laws
Overall, Maryland’s laws are very clear for sexual harassment. However, there was a large loophole under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (Title VII addressed discrimination / sexual harassment.)
The loophole was that Title VII did not apply to Federal or State legislature. When Title VII was passed in 1964, it explicitly stated that legislators, executive officials and staff were not included. Which is crazy! By excluding these individuals, it basically means that they can do whatever they want without recourse. Title VII certainly didn’t take a victim centered approach.
Delegate Ariana Kelly started working on this issue a few years ago and in 2018 she able to get passed Landmark Legislation Reforming State Legislature Sexual Harassment Policy
This was a huge success for us and Mrs. Kelly because we figured out how to give elected officials a way to have some sort of recourse if they are being sexual harassed by their co-legislators or lobbyists. It would also work the other way around, to help lobbyists who are feeling pressured or sexually harassed by legislators.
It is an important step in helping to ensure our political system is free of any undue pressure, intimidation, retaliation, etc. This year I am proud to say we passed legislation that will help some of the most vulnerable workers, such as domestic workers and restaurant employees, bring workplace harassment claims. It is all about providing opportunities for those who are disenfranchised to have access to justice.
Pads in Prison
The Women’s Law Center of Maryland worked on Bills fighting for the reproductive health care of women in prison. Once of those Bills sounds like it is straight out of “Orange is the New Black.” We worked on a legislative Bill to provide menstrual pads in prison.
Prior to this bill being passed, women were allowed 2 pads per month. As you can imagine, lack of access to feminine hygiene products caused such basic and needed products to become a form of currency. If you can imagine the things that women had to do to get access to feminine hygiene products… It was completely degrading, dehumanizing and exhibited such a la lack of human decency.
As of today, all state systems are required to provide inmates with as many sanitary products that they need, and for free.
Rights for Rape Survivors, Sex Education and Birth Control on College Campuses
Sexual Education beginning in 5th grade
The Women’s Law Center of Maryland worked on a Bill allowing sexual education to begin at the 5th grade. Sex Ed at this early age is done in an age appropriate way. It teaches children that everyone has a right to their own space. Most of our sex education talks about “how not to be raped.” What we weren’t discussing was “how not to rape.”
I know it sounds extreme and almost insane, but if you think about it, it’s really just a change in culture and talking about things from a very early age. Teaching our children that everyone has a right to their own space.
Access to birth control on college campuses
We also worked on a Bill to allow oral contraception or birth control on college campuses. Yes, this includes the very controversial “morning after” pill.
Rape Survivor Family Protection Act
This was a huge win for Rape Victims and is such a significant and important law. The law allows women who became pregnant as a result of rape the ability to terminate the pregnancy.
Before the Rape Survivor Family Protection Act, if a woman became pregnant as a result of rape she would have to put the child up for adoption, had to publish name of the rapist / father. (She would have to interact with her attacker.) If she decided to keep the child, there was always at risk that the rapist could require custody / visitation. This law will have a profound effect for those who became pregnant as a result of rape.
“We came so far in the women’s rights movement in the last 50 years. Huge strides were made. Now it is these little incremental steps. These steps are the work that myself and the Women’s Law Center of Maryland are dedicated to every day. We help women have solid ground, so they can move forward- to feel safe, financial secure and in control of their bodies.”
Repeat Sexual Predator Prevention Act
It took fourteen years for Maryland to pass the Repeat Sexual Predator Prevention Act. This Bill allows prosecutors to introduce evidence of prior bad acts. (For example, you saw this happening with the Bill Cosby case.) However, prior to this legislative Bill being passed, previous behavior wasn’t allowed as evidence by prosecutors. While there are guidelines with this new Bill, we are closer to fair…
Most profound thing I worked on
That would have to be the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act in 2016. This Bill was one of the most sweeping equal pay bills in the country. It helped shape how businesses are thinking about promoting women. The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act also dealt with the “Mommy Track.” This term “Mommy Track” is when women were put in positions that didn’t allow much room for growth. It was a safe 9-5 job. And that may be what a woman wants, but it needs to be up to her to decide. This mommy track must not be automatic based on the fact that she is a woman. The law states that women and men must be offered the same opportunities and positions equally.
I like to think that the impact of this Bill will be very significant over time.
How in the world do you do it all?
I give things up…
Yes, you heard me, I give things up. No one actually says this out loud. And it’s so frustrating! Women rarely tell you that they are giving things up, making tough choices and LOTS of sacrifices.
For me, I gave up volunteering at school, being a Room Mom and field trips. Yes, it is very tough at times. I try to make it to one classroom event for each kid per year but other than that, I just can’t be the mom that is there all the time. I have to trust in the other great parents that are there.
Also, I give up much control over my calendar between January and April due to legislative sessions. During that time period, I don’t see my kids nearly as much as I would like but I try hard to make up for it during the rest of the year. I definitely go for quality since I can’t do quantity! Although I did manage to bring them lobbying with me for Earned Sick Leave a couple years ago – that was a fun way to get them involved in my work.
You as a career woman, will have to give things up. It is up to you to decide what those things are. Only you can decide if it is worth it.
Prioritize and outsource
To be successful, you must also prioritize and set some boundaries. My priorities include exercising daily. I am usually in bed by 10:00 so I can wake up early. I try to cook and have dinner with my family as much as possible. I’m out of the house 2-3 nights a week. So, the other nights, I’m cooking dinner and we are eating at home EVEN IF IT KILLS ME!!!
I also outsource as much as possible. The parents at the pool know my nanny better than they know me. And, I had to come to terms with it. (So did my children because they love going to the pool.) This is the reality of my work. This is the reality of being a working mother, you must give things up at times, so you can be the most impactful in your career. Again, you must choose what you give up and set boundaries for yourself.
Free Time
In my free time I like to participate in triathlons and half marathons. We’ve gotten the kids into running now and they’ve each done a triathlon and we do 5ks together. And, to be very honest, I like to catch up on sleep, read and watch “The Great British Baking Show.” (That show is like a big hug.) Give me Magic, Wizards, Harry Potter and Marvels. You can keep the documentaries. I like to escape in my downtime.
Final thoughts
I need to give a standing ovation to our team at the Women’s Law Center of Maryland. It is them who make this difference. They are personally involved every day with clients. Our staff is trying to solve problems that are sometimes literally life or death (for our protective order clients). It is our team that is really doing the amazing work. I try to encourage our team so that we may continue to fully serve our clients and make an impact for women. And I am so grateful everyday for the opportunity to advocate for women.
Thanks for reading this Blog
Thanks so much for reading. Don’t forget to check out our other interviews:
- Dating After Divorce – 6 Tips to Get Back Out There with life and love coach, Sarah Curnoles
- 12 Things to Consider Before Starting a Business, an interview with Family Law Attorney, Laurie Wasserman