March is Women’s History Month! In celebration, we are honoring some outstanding woman alums of New York Law School.
Elizabeth Johnston Schenkel (Class of 1937) was the first woman to graduate from New York Law School. After graduation, Schenkel started practicing law from her home to be more available to her three young children. As her practice in trusts, estates and real estate grew, she became a legal consultant for several law firms. Schenkel received the Distinguished Alumna award from New York Law School in 1992. (New York Law School Magazine, Vol. 26, No. 2)
Barbara M. Watson (Class of 1962) was the first woman and the first black person to serve as an Assistant Secretary of State. She served as an Assistant Secretary of State for Security and Consular affairs during the administrations of Presidents Johnson, Nixon, Ford and Carter. President Carter later appointed Watson the United States Ambassador to Maylasia. Upon her passing in 1983, the State Department renamed the Consular Officer of the Year Award to the Barbara M. Watson Award for Consular Excellence in honor of her outstanding work and devotion to public service. (NYLS 125th Anniversary Materials)
Judith “Judge Judy” Sheindlin (Class of 1965) is well known for her court shows, Judge Judy and most recently Judy Justice. Before entering the spotlight, Scheindlin was appointed by then-Mayor Ed Koch as a prosecutor in the New York family court system, eventually becoming the supervising judge of that system. She was, and still is, known to be tough. This attitude helped her move into media. During its 25-year run, Judge Judy won numerous awards as Sheindlin heard thousands of cases and earned her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (NYLS Interviews Judy Sheindlin)
Hon. Joan M. Azrack (Class of 1979) is a judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. She was nominated for this position by President Barack Obama in 2014 and assumed senior status in 2024. Prior to taking this position, Azrack was a trial attorney, leading to her positions as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Narcotics Section (deputy chief), Business and Securities Fraud Section (chief), and the Criminal Division (deputy chief). (NYLS 125th Anniversary Materials)
Hon. Clare M. Henry (Class of 1979) was a High Court Judge for the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. From 1986 to 1989, she served as Crown Counsel in the Attorney General’s Chambers for Antigua & Barbuda. From 1989 to 1994 she was engaged in private law practice in Antigua & Barbuda. She became a Magistrate for Antigua & Barbuda in 1994, becoming Chief Magistrate for Antigua & Barbuda in 2000. It was in 2004 that she was appointed a High Court Judge for the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. (NYLS 125th Anniversary Materials)