When it comes to choosing a career, the confusion about having the proper resources and guidance can be overwhelming, especially for women in their 20s and young girls entering their teenage years.
For Judge Amyra Cobb-Hampton and retired Judge Christine Carringer, the early beginnings of a career, and the feelings of confusion and uncertainty, are ones they remember too well.
With no previous role models or knowledge of any other women who were already in law school, Carringer said when she had to work her way “from the ground up.” In a time when women were expected to prioritize marriage over finding a career, Carringer’s parents had expected the same for her.
“My parents were both college-educated, but my mom went to school to find a husband. My parents have three daughters, and that’s what they thought was going to happen to us. That wasn’t the case,” Carringer said.
“Even if times have changed, the feeling of feeling lost as a young woman, of trying to figure it out, certainly hasn’t,” she added.
Cobb-Hampton also reflected on the early beginnings of her career. Looking at the bench and seeing former Presiding Judge Alesia Jones gave her inspiration. She said she would meet with Jones once a year to check in.
“Seeing that kind of representation was important for me,” Cobb-Hampton said. “As Marian Wright Edelman once said, ‘You can’t be what you can’t see.’ We want the young women who attend Girls on the Rise to see us.”
The third annual “Girls on the Rise” event will make its return on Saturday, March 14 at the Solano County Events Center. Supreme Court Justice Carol Corrigan will be the keynote speaker. (Photo courtesy of Karen Korr)
“Girls on the Rise” is presented by the Solano Superior Court and the Solano Bar Association. This year marks the third year the program will be presented in Solano County.
The goal is to provide girls and young women ages 15 to 25 with the opportunity to speak with professionals who have chosen careers in law, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), business, and first response.
“The ages of 15 to 25 for young women are a critical developmental stage,” said Cobb-Hampton. “I can remember this stage of life vividly. It is during this stage that young women begin to build self-esteem, define their values and goals as well as choose academic paths,” said Cobb-Hampton.
She recalls speaking with Judge Carringer about ways to inspire the next generation. Initially, Carringer had shared information with her about a program in Southern California where girls were engaging with judges to learn about the law. After Cobb-Hampton consulted with Julie Hilt, executive director of the Solano County Bar Association, about the idea of starting their own program, Cobb-Hampton and Carringer held their first planning session.
“From that meeting, Girls on the Rise was created. We still face challenges and obstacles even in our own careers, but inspiring the next generation inspires us too,” Cobb-Hampton said.
In the three years since “Girls on the Rise” launched, the program has grown in both attendees and volunteers. This year, Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court Carol Corrigan will be the keynote speaker.
“The fact that we have the honor of having her at this event goes to show how important this is,” Cobb-Hampton added.
The event is not exclusive to women in Solano County. In previous years, attendees came from all over the Bay Area, including Napa, Oaklan,d and San Francisco.
“We are a woman-majority, minority-majority bench of which we’re very proud,” Carringer said. “We have the opportunity and the obligation as women in positions of power or authority to reach out a hand to younger people to help pave the way so that each girl isn’t figuring things out on her own.”
The program will offer various workshops such as tackling imposter syndrome, building self-esteem, and learning to network. There will also be a tabling event with different organizations, including representatives from Charles Houston Bar Association, National Asian Pacific Islander Bar Association, and La Raza Lawyers Association. Scholarship opportunities will also be available.
“We want to demystify the workforce. That behind the robe, behind the uniform, we’re also human. We didn’t have it all figured out the first time,” Cobb-Hampton said.
“Girls on the Rise” will take place at the Solano County Events Center in Fairfield on March 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Though admission is free, advanced registration is required.
To learn more about “Girls on the Rise,” visit: solano.courts.ca.gov/news/solano-county-power-women-host-girls-rise-seminar-march-14-inspire-next-generation-women-leaders