Women’s Bar Association raises money for charity through its annual holiday party

December 5, 2019 Rob Abruzzese

On Wednesday night, the Brooklyn Women's Bar Association held its annual holiday celebration at the Brooklyn Bar Association where they raised money for a charity and collected toys for Toys for Tots. Pictured are BWBA President Meryl Schwartz (center), and the party co-chairs Hon. Genine Edwards (left) and Angelicque Moreno. Eagle photos by Rob Abruzzese

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On Wednesday night, the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association held its annual holiday party at the Brooklyn Bar Association where its members shared dinner, had some drinks and had a great time away from the courthouse, all for a good cause.

“The Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association Foundation welcomes everyone from the legal community to our holiday party every year, from the judiciary to our friends and our colleagues,” said Angelicque Moreno, the president of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers and co-chair of the event. “It’s a wonderful time of the year to get together to have our annual party.”

From left: Judge-elect Derefim Bernadette Neckles, Hon. Theresa Ciccotto, Lana O’Brien, Barbara Grcevic, Hon. Nancy Bannon, Deborah Johnson and Natoya McGhie.

There are no speeches at the event. The focus is on improving camaraderie in the legal community and on providing members with a way to get to know each other away from the courts. Most of all, though, it’s about raising money for charity.

Guests at the event were all asked to donate an unwrapped toy. Other guests donated gifts, some worth close to $1,000, that were raffled off during the party. All of the proceeds, including the gifts, were donated to the Safe Homes Project of Brooklyn.

“It’s one of the best organizations out there,” Moreno said of Safe Homes. “They provide shelters and homes for at least 20 individuals at any given time, women and children who have been abused or just need a safe place.”

President Meryl Schwartz did address the crowd briefly to thank the co-chairs, Moreno and Hon. Genine Edwards, for helping to organize the party. She also took the opportunity to wish member Joanne Minsky Cohen good luck on her pending retirement.

“Happy holidays,” Justice Edwards said. “Whatever you celebrate, it’s great to get together and see everyone in good health. We look forward to 2020.”