It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Marjorie E. Karowe, WBASNY Past President.
Marjorie Karowe was a founding mother and the second President of WBASNY (1982-84). In 1982 when she became President of WBASY, Marge made it her mission to expand the young organization, then comprising primarily downstate chapters, into a truly statewide organization by encouraging ten more chapters outside of the metropolitan area to join. During her tenure as President, Marge served on the New York Task Force on Women and the Courts which issued the first comprehensive study of the pervasive discrimination which faced women as attorneys, as litigants, and as judges in the New York State Court system. After her presidency Marge continued to serve WBASNY on the Board of Directors, as Chair of the Statewide Legislative Committee and as coordinator of the first statewide CLE program. In addition, she was a Charter Member of the New York State Bar Association, Labor Law Section, on the Editorial Board for its publication “Public Sector Labor and Employment Law”, and Chair of the Committee on Pension, Welfare Benefits and Related Plans.
During her legal career, Ms. Karowe served on many statewide and departmental legal committees such as the Judicial Nominating Committee for the Court of Claims, the Judicial Screening Committee for the Appellate Division, Third Department, the Advisory Committee on Equal Opportunity to the Commissioner of Education, and the Advisory Committee on Civil Practice. She was an adjunct professor at Albany Law School as well as Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and the Union College Graduate School. She was also the recipient of several awards relating to her activities in support of women in the legal profession including Jean M. Coons Award from the Capital District Women’s Bar Association, the Marilyn Menge Award from WBASNY, the Hoffman Medal from WBASNY, and the Kate Stoneman Award from Albany Law School.
From her early involvement in the Women’s Movement of the 1960’s, through the founding of WBASNY, through her years of law practice, and the years beyond, the advancement of women in our profession and the equality of women everywhere were a major concern of her heart, and a deep and abiding commitment to family was the bedrock of her life.
Our deepest sympathies are extended to Marjorie’s entire family at this very difficult time