Laura Chisolm: an advocate and ally.

• Jurisdiction: United States
• Date: 22 March 2012
• Author: Hill, B. Jessie

I worked with Laura Chisolm primarily in my capacity as Associate Director of the Center for Social Justice, of which she was the founding Director. Yet--as is probably true of many of my colleagues at the law school--I came to know and admire her most as a fellow faculty member, friend, and mentor. I will never forget the many kindnesses from Laura--not least of all the baby gift she sent me after my older daughter was born. It was a beautiful, fuzzy, hand-knit sweater that kept both my older daughter and my younger daughter warm for, literally, years. Where on earth such an accomplished and busy person found time to knit a sweater, I have no idea, but this sort of thing was typical, given Laura's thoughtfulness, her overwhelming kindness, and her capacious talents.

Laura was a reliable advocate and trustworthy friend to her more junior colleagues, and she especially looked out for the other women on the faculty. Though Laura never went looking for a fight, you always knew which side she was on--that was the right side, and usually the side of the more vulnerable party. Though Laura was a warm colleague and a caring teacher, she was also a fierce advocate for women, for her...