By Nikole Dugger
Staff Writer
Breanna Glenn says she has wanted to be a lawyer since she began talking.
Spending “Take Your Daughter to Work Day” at the Hamilton County Courthouse provided her further insight into the legal profession.
“I think lawyers have the special ability to prove people right or wrong,” Ms. Glenn said.
Girls Inc. of Chattanooga and the South East Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women invited the 12-year-old and 37 of her peers from Howard Middle School for an activity-filled glimpse inside the field.
“It’s important for these girls to see that education is important and that they can do it,” said Hallie McFadden, a local lawyer. “People who say you can’t do it all and be a mom are wrong, and I think the young girls need role models.”
While Lulu Lloyd wouldn’t mind practicing law, the 8th grader appeared to be swayed by putting on a robe and saying “order in the court.”
“I’d rather be a judge than a lawyer,” she said. “It’d be more fun to put someone behind bars.”
During the visit which included tours of the criminal and chancery courts, the students were able to learn more about the personal lives of the women who have achieved professional success.
“In addition to discussing their careers, the speakers shared a lot to let the girls learn about the lives of these people,” said Karen Lowery, outreach manager for Girls Inc. “If a girl thinks she can’t do anything because she didn’t finish high school, she can remember Judge (Rebecca) Stern saying that she got her GED.”
Ariel Patterson said she thought her future career may involve the law and came on the trip to find out what it would be like.
“I definitely want to be a judge or something like that,” said the 11-year-old in between bites of complimentary pizza. “It’s interesting, and I would like to serve justice and stop murder.”
E-mail Nikole Dugger at ndugger@timesfreepress.com
Staff Photo by Nikole Dugger
Mary Sullivan with Hamilton County District
Attorney's office addresses a group of Howard
Middle School students today in Judge Rebecca
Stern's courtroom during Girls Inc.'s "Take Our Daughters
To Work Day."
