Rule of Law Statement
In a time of heightened national tension, the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the constitutional principles that protect our democracy. Our organization was founded in 1919 and for decades we have advocated not only to support the advancement of women in law and society, but to secure equality and social justice for all.
Recent violent events in Minnesota and across the country underscore the necessity of accountability, due process, and respect for legal boundaries to ensure a safe and just society for all. As lawyers and leaders, we believe that justice depends on transparency, independent review, and adherence to constitutional safeguards — especially in moments of crisis. We also reaffirm the fundamental rights of freedom of speech, assembly, and the press.
Respect for the Rule of Law is essential for a fair and just society, and our government entities and public officials should be held accountable for upholding such.
Message from the President
Hello, I am Kirsten Silwanowicz, and it is an honor to serve as President of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan. In accordance with our theme this upcoming year, now, I want to tell you my story.
Years ago, when my husband and I were thinking of starting a family, I was nervous. I did not know if it was even a good idea. I mean I had babysat my whole life, but having one of my own was different – there was no return policy.
But that was not my biggest fear. Mine was having a baby girl. I was TERRIFIED of having a girl—because I knew what it meant to grow up as one. I had lived it. I was told I was good at math—but instead of an engineer, a cashier. That girls don’t play football—or understand it—so I didn’t belong. I didn’t want to have a baby girl and raise her in this world where these paradigms existed. Those weren’t just comments—they were attempts to define my voice before I even had the chance to use it.
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Now, I think it is important to note that I did not believe anything that I was told like that. I knew that I was not born to fit into their mold and to forge my own path. I have my mother’s big mouth and my father’s ability to talk people’s ears off, so I did. And I went to law school–not just to have a voice, but to learn how to use it. To advocate. To speak when others couldn’t. To make sure silence was never the only option.
Eventually though, I did have a kid – a son. Thank god. A beautiful wonderful baby boy named John. But then… I realized this was an even bigger task. I knew that I had to raise my son to be better than those paradigms that were thrust upon me.
So as I became a mom during the pandemic, I knew I had a responsibility. To raise my son to be a feminist. To understand that women and men should be equal not only under the law, but in real life. Because this theme of “Tell Her Story” isn’t just about women finding their voices—it’s about raising a generation that knows how to respect them.
So while my son was learning about different jobs as preschool, he came home and enlightened me a little bit about what he wanted to be when he grew up.
Me: What do you want to be when you grow up?
John: A girl
Me: Why a girl?
John: Because I want to be a Momma.
Me: Why do you want to be a Momma instead of a Daddy?
John: Because I want to be a lawyer.
Me: Oh, well we let boys be lawyers too. So you can be a lawyer without being a Momma.
John: Oh, ok. Good.
At that moment, I realized—he already understood something powerful: that a woman’s voice carries power. That it shapes what’s possible.
Now I think I am doing a pretty good job, don’t you? But we cannot stop here—we have more to do.
Because every ‘first’ we celebrate is really a voice that refuses to be ignored.
We just watched Artemis II orbit the moon with a woman on board for the first time. Sitting on the couch with my husband and son, watching that splashdown, I got teary-eyed—because I knew what a giant leap that was, especially for every girl watching and dreaming of becoming an engineer.
As a staunch Michigan State fan, I was struck to learn that Zeke the Wonder Dog is female for the first time ever—and exactly where she belongs—on that football field.
Firsts still matter. It shouldn’t be ground breaking, but it is.
We tell these stories so the next generation doesn’t have to fight the same battles we did.
So they don’t have to be the ‘first.’
So one day, we can live in a world where there are no more firsts—only expectations.
And we need to keep telling these stories—because someone is still waiting to hear that it’s possible. It will be hard, but it can be done.
So this year, I challenge each of us—not just to find our voice, but to use it. To protect it. To amplify others. Because that’s where the real power is—and that’s how we change what comes next.
