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32 Women Law. J. 2 (1946-1947)
Introducing Our President

handle is hein.journals/wolj32 and id is 4 raw text is: Introducing Our President ... GRACE H. HARTE of the Illinois Bar; Librarian- Historian of N.A.W.L. It is not necessary to depict our new president, Laura Miller Derry, in glittering words and phrases. They would be render- ed tawdry in comparison with her actual accomplishments. She is her own best ex- hibit to most of us. For those who have not had the opportunity to meet her we give this description and appraisal of her as our leader. Most of us have known her for years as Laura Miller. In 1944 she married Ste- phen Arthur Derry, who was then a Major in the United States Army. Laura Miller Derry is attractive, and with her comliness is combined high intelligence, warm heart- edness, amiability, and unusual energy. She received her education at Rutgers University, New Jersey Teachers College, holds her A. B. from Bowling Green Col- lege of Commerce, her LL. B. from Jef- ferson School of Law, and has done post- graduate work at the University of Louis- ville. Before engaging in the practice of law she was a newspaper woman, and has written a number of newspaper and mag- azine articles on pressing subjects of the day. She has also appeared before civic clubs and other organizations, as well as on the radio, in the presentation of current issues and timely topics. She has for years been active in com- mittee work for NAWL. In 1942-3 she was our recording Secretary; in 1943-4 she was our First Vice President; in 1944-5 she was chairman of our Constitution Com- mittee. Her energies are not limited. She served as president of Younger Women's City Club, Louisville, from 1939 to 1944, and is now honorary )resident; is a charter member and past director of Louisville Pilot Club; is past director of Bowling Green Business University Club; and is on the Legislative Committee of the Business and Professional Women's Club of Louis- ville. During the war she participated through the Red Cross in civilian defense work. She has been the chairman and ac- tive member of important committees of the Louisville Bar Association, Kentucky Bar Association, and American Bar Asso- ciation. At present she is the treasurer of the Louisville Bar Association, correspon- ding secretary of the Louisville Radio Council, and recording secretary of the In- ternational Association of Women Lawyers (thus ex officio on the executive board of each of these organizations), and is serving on the Advisory Council of the Louisville Family Service Organization, (a Commun- ity Chest welfare agency). She was admitted to the Kentucky bar in 1936, and has been engaged in the prac- tice of law in Louisville since that time. Her ability, fair dealing, and intellectual capacity have earned for her an enviable reputation in her profession and an excel- lent practice. She recently won international re- nown by her successful defense of a soldier in a court martial proceeding. He was ac- cused of a crime euphemistically referred to as a statutory offense-one of the most difficult types of crime to defend, as the very charge is calculated to evoke preju- dice against the accused even in the minds of those obligated to be impartial. She skilfully conducted the defense and suc- ceeded in obtaining the defendant's ac- quittal. The practice of this case was ex- tremely oppressive because there were only three possible verdicts, viz: acquittal, life imprisonment, or death. She is the first woman lawyer, not only in this coun- try but throughout the world, who has defended an accused before a military court martial jury. WOMEN LAWYERS' JOURNAL

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