Women Lawyers of Sacramento will present the Eighth Annual Frances Newell Carr Achievement Award to Joan Stone. WLS gives the annual award, named in honor of the late Justice Frances Newell Carr, to an individual who has achieved professional excellence in her field; influenced women to pursue legal careers; helped open doors to women in job settings historically closed to them; advanced opportunities for women within the practice of law or enhanced the quality of life in the community through their activities and service.

Joan exemplifies each of the criteria for the award. After earning her LLB with special honors in 1971 from the University of Edinburgh, she lectured in the law in Great Britain for seven years before following her husband to California. Raising two children, she has balanced her family with her career at the superior court, where she has served as a research attorney since 1990.

Joan's career as a research attorney, although necessarily presenting a low profile, bears the hallmarks of a law professor in its careful, neutral analysis and search for the correct answer. Her work is much appreciated by the judiciary and has provided an invaluable public service to the people of California.

Joan is a past president, and a former member of the Board of Directors of WLS. As a board member, she served as chair of the Legislation Committee and of the Publicity & Community Relations Committee. She worked with now-retired Judge Rudolph Loncke and the other member organizations of the Unity Bar to create the "Rights and Responsibilities in the Law" program. In that program, members of the bar and the bench volunteer to teach a class on government and the law to at-risk high school students. The class takes students into the real world of the law, with volunteer teachers acting as real world guides, leading students through the judicial system, and sharing what they know about criminal, juvenile, employment and housing law.

Joan also served as chair of the committee for the WLS reception for delegates to the State Bar Women in the Law Conference in Sacramento. She represented WLS on the Sacramento County Bar Council and at the State Bar Conference of Delegates. As treasurer, Joan brought WLS into the computer age by using a software program to manage the organization's finances, thus smoothing the annual transition between outgoing and incoming treasurers of the organization.

Joan's involvement in the local legal community extends far beyond the Superior Court and WLS. A self-proclaimed "bar junkie," she is currently serving as editor of Sacramento Lawyer, the secretary/treasurer of the Sacramento County Bar Association, and the WLS affiliate governor and treasurer of California Women Lawyers.

Although many past presidents of WLS cease active participation in the organization when their terms expire, Joan remains a tireless contributor to Women Lawyers of Sacramento. Pat Hart Jorgensen recalls that she "panicked" shortly before the December luncheon when she was to be installed as incoming WLS president and Joan was to be honored as outgoing WLS president. Realizing how much she had taken Joan's historical insight and perspective for granted, Jorgensen said she "selfishly, and without Joan's knowledge or consent, bestowed the title of WLS Historian on Joan." Joan accepted this title gracefully, and remains the keeper of the WLS records, the source of pertinent information and the author of fascinating articles on WLS' past.

Past President and WLS founding member Virginia Mueller is impressed by Joan's deep interest in the history of WLS, given the "short time" she has been a member of WLS (only since 1989, compared to Virginia's tenure since 1962). For Virginia, one of Joan's biggest contributions to WLS and to the County Bar is her skill with words.

Joan is a consistent contributor to the fundraising efforts of the WLS Foundation, through silent auction donations, and regular support and attendance at the events. She regularly attends the WLS monthly luncheons, and offers helpful ideas for future programs. As the WLS representative to California Women Lawyers, Joan acts as a conduit between the state and the local organizations, encouraging each organization to continue to support the efforts of the other.

She has also been a mentor to women lawyers, from nervous law students to anxious new presidents. Beth Curtis recalls that "I first met Joan when I was a law student receiving a WLS scholarship in the mid 1990s. She was very warm, personable, and outgoing. She made me feel comfortable, when I was rather nervous being a law student among lawyers."

Immediate Past President Ann Farina reflected that "Joan has gone out of her way to be a proactive mentor. She sought me out, to be of assistance. She is always available to talk, and has made a meaningful difference in my life." WLS Vice President, Jean McEvoy remembers Joan from their early days studying for the bar exam together in West Sacramento. "Joan Stone has always been there, has always been an important part of WLS. She volunteers for everything!" McEvoy said.

Joan expressed pride and gratitude for the honor in receiving the award. She recalled Justice Carr with affection and respect. Justice Carr was always a gracious mentor and supporter of women lawyers. She inspired all around her. Justice Carr continued to support WLS over the years, including officiating at swearing in ceremonies of WLS board members. Joan remembers particularly Justice Carr's ironic sense of humor. At the installation ceremony just after Justice Clarence Thomas was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, Justice Carr modified the oath of office for WLS Board members to include a promise "to tell the truth before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee."

WLS is proud of Joan Stone's continuing contributions to our organization, the legal community of Sacramento, to women in the law and to the community as a whole. Congratulations, Joan, on your accomplishments.

The Frances Newell Carr Award will be presented at the Sacramento County Bar Association's Law Day Event on May 1st. The past recipients of the award are Hon. Alice Lytle; Mueller; Hon. Cecily Bond; Charity Kenyon; Hon. Faith Geoghegan; Marian Johnston; and Professor Martha West.