Annual luncheon supports local women in higher education and recognizes legal advocacy leader.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coastal Bend Women Lawyers Association is highlighting its annual spring luncheon on Wednesday, to keep raising scholarship funds for local women pursuing higher education.

The organization’s president, Alexandria Monroe, said the group is the only women’s bar association in the Coastal Bend and that the event supports future students.

Monroe said, “We are very passionate about our scholarships and we want to give as many women the opportunity to achieve their goals and their dreams.”

Each year, the luncheon honors a woman of distinction. This year’s honoree is Anna Vasquez, Director of Outreach and Education with the Texas Innocence Project and one of the “San Antonio Four.”

Their case became the focus of the film, Southwest of Salem. 

After spending over a decade in prison for a crime she did not commit, Ms. Vasquez now advocates for prison reform and against wrongful conviction with the Innocence Project of Texas. 

3News evening anchor Leslie Adami moderated the Q&A with Vasquez who discussed everything from life before and during incarceration, her exoneration, and how her work today is helping those wrongly convicted in Texas. 

Monroe said the event not only recognizes community leaders, but also helps fund scholarships for Coastal Bend women attending local colleges or Texas law schools.

 “This event is extremely important for our organization because it helps fund the future of the Coastal Bend,” adds Monroe. 

This year’s honoree, Ana Vasquez, was wrongfully imprisoned for more than 14 years before being exonerated in 2016. She now works in legal advocacy and speaks about her experience.

Monroe says, “It’s important to get their story out because if we don’t learn from our history, we’re just bound to repeat it.” She adds that scholarship support varies each year but continues to make a significant impact on recipients who might not otherwise be able to attend college.

Donations for the scholarship fund can be made through the Coastal Bend Community Foundation.