One of the goals for other Ranking and Endorsements Committee is to increase the number of, and ranking levels for, women in rankings publications (e.g., Who’s Who, Chambers, etc.). With help from information received from chapter members, the Committee serves as a resource to publishers during the research process and provides recommendations in an effort to improve diversity in their published rankings.
The Committee began their work with Who’s Who and GIR pre-pandemic to get more of WWCDA members ranked in those publications. The Committee has been in discussions with Chambers for year and after the pandemic started a partnership with Chambers with a focus on the regional white collar lists (US and outside the US), with the plan to grow to other jurisdictions in subsequent years.
The program has been a huge success. Literally hundreds of women have been newly ranked and elevated in the levels at which they are ranked. In addition, new regions have been added so that WWCDA can now help women in those additional areas get ranked for the first time or ranked higher (e.g., Oregon, Utah, and Alabama).
The Committee has also engaged in educational programming for women to learn more about getting ranked in publications. In September 2022 the Committee hosted a webinar that included resources they had developed and which focused on how best to position oneself and ones firm during the application process to succeed in achieving a Chamber Ranking. A well attended “Part 2” Webinar then followed and provided members with step by step instructions on how to apply for Chambers Rankings.
Most recently the Committee has asked all chapters for a report on members that have been ranked and their experiences. The information will be helpful to the Committee and will highlight the successes of more of our women getting ranked. The Committee plans to publishing a report of this survey.
Finally, the Committee does more than just rankings. As the title reflects, the Committee also helps lead the effort in responding to members and alumnae request for letters of endorsement from WWCDA when seeking jobs, awards, etc.
Please take advantage of the good work of the Committee. We are all working together to advance women in the profession!