SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 5, 2015 —The Hon. Tani Cantil-Sakauye, the first Asian-Filipina American and second woman Chief Justice of the largest court system in the U.S., will receive the Santa Clara University School of Law Social Justice and Human Rights Award at the school’s 11th annual Diversity Gala Feb. 12.
Cantil-Sakauye, the chief justice of the California Supreme Court, will be honored for her efforts advocating for human and civil rights for minorities throughout California, including overseeing a pilot Domestic Violence Home Court, and as a board member of “My Sister’s House,” a domestic violence safe house for Asian Pacific Islander women and children. An undergraduate and law school graduate of UC Davis, she also is an active supporter of numerous Asian-Pacific American bar associations.
“Justice Cantil-Sakauye’s success and values remind us all that you can rise to the upper echelons of a legal career, and still find ways large and small to serve and advance opportunities for other people,” said Santa Clara Law Dean Lisa Kloppenberg.
The event will be held Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Triton Museum in Santa Clara, Calif., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The 2014 World Series champions, the San Francisco Giants, also will be honored with the Diversity Gala Organization of the Year Award, for the team’s commitment to community service and diversity, exhibited by ballpark code of conduct rules implemented in July of last year. The new rules prohibit “culturally insensitive attire and behavior” as a way of honoring “the rich diversity of our fan base who cheer us on at AT&T Park.”
Also at the event, Santa Clara Law Assistant Dean for Diversity Programs Jeanette Leach will receive The Diversity Gala Lifetime Achievement Award, for designing and implementing programs and initiatives that increased minority student matriculation and retention at SCU Law. For more than 25 years she has provided direct support to minority law students, worked directly with similarly situated leaders and collaborated with legal professionals who lead programs for minority lawyers. Santa Clara Law alumni regularly come back to visit her for guidance, camaraderie and support.
“We honor Dean Leach her for years of devoted, high-caliber service that has contributed to making Santa Clara Law one of the most diverse law schools as recognized by US News & World Report,” said Kloppenberg.
The Diversity Gala was developed to inspire organization leaders and students to hold a meaningful conversation regarding diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. Admission to the event will require an online registration, found at https://alumnidirectory.scu.edu/sslpage.aspx?pid=656.
Media Contact
Deborah Lohse | SCU Media Relations | dlohse@scu.edu | 408-544-5121
Deborah Lohse | SCU Media Relations | dlohse@scu.edu | 408-544-5121
Posted by Deborah Lohse
