[Ed Note: Those of us who attended the annual meeting were privileged to hear SCBA Lawyer of the Year, Windie Scott speak. We decided that the whole SCBA membership deserved to hear the highlights of Windie's inspirational message at the start of this new year (and new millennium?). With apologies to Windie, due to lack of space, we have not included all of her thanks to friends, family and colleagues.]

When they told me that I could pick anyone I wanted to present me with this award, I quickly responded 'Samuel L. Jackson'. For some reason, they thought I meant the city attorney, rather than the movie star, but I just have to play along so as not to hurt his feelings. [Ed note: Sam took this very well]

Seriously, Sam has been with me every step of my legal career. When I became president of Wiley Manuel, he said to be sure to join the county bar. Not long after that, he said, "that women's group is doing some really great things, maybe you should get involved." This advice led eventually to my presidency of both organizations.

Sam is someone who supports you, not just in front of, but also behind, the scenes. He spurs you forward with the contagious benefit of his contacts, his enthusiasm and his awesome energy. I can't thank him and his wife Esther enough for their friendship and invaluable support.

The same sentiment goes out to my office and boss. For the pass 12 years, I have worked for politicians. The most recent being State Board of Equalization member John Chiang. I have been blessed, during my career, to work for people who had broad vision regarding the term 'government lawyer' and who realized that we in public service have tremendous talent. It is only when we are allowed the opportunity to interact with non-public lawyers that they can realize how very good we are. The same is true for lawyers of color interacting with majority lawyers. All can benefit from each other's wealth of knowledge and experience.

I became a lawyer because I was a spoiled little southern girl whose father cried because he could not take her on a beach and watch her swing. I accept this award in my father's memory.

When you honor me as a lawyer, you honor me as a member of a profession that employs words instead of weapons; advances arguments instead of arms; and asserts rights to combat rebellion and analysis to silence anarchy.

As lawyers, we are the vital thread that holds democracy together, and the cement that bonds civilized beings and nations together to give them order.

We are counted upon to force compulsion to just laws and enjoin enforcement of laws that are not just.From the drafting of legislation to the counting of ballots, it is our profession to which the public looks for legal, moral, and ethical guidance.

Despite the litany of jokes about 'killing all the lawyers', it is our profession whose absence would reduce the concepts of freedom, justice and liberty to mere words.

I am deeply humbled that on the dawn of this exciting century, you have bestowed me with this great honor.

I am extremely proud of the noble profession I chose more than two decades ago. When you honor me in the context of the magnificent term "lawyer' you pay me the highest of all compliments.

Thank you so very much.

[Ed Note: Thank-you Windie.]