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05/04/2007 - The first female High Court Justice in Botswana to give the keynote address at the College of Law's 174th Hooding Ceremony, May 12, 2007.
Cincinnati, OH-The Honorable Unity Dow of Botswana will give the keynote address at the 174th Hooding Ceremony for the University of Cincinnati College of Law. The ceremony, held at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, will begin at 1:00 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. Approximately 124 students will graduate this year.
This year's Hooding Ceremony, presided over by Dean Louis D. Bilionis, will feature alumnae Katherine M. Lasher as the recipient of the Nicolas Longworth, III Alumni Achievement Award, and Professors A. Christopher Bryant, Rachel Smith, and Adam Steinman as the recipients of the Goldman Prize for Excellence in Teaching Award.
From human rights attorney to acclaimed jurist Justice Dow has a distinguished history as a jurist and human rights attorney, as well as a long time association with the law school. She is the founder of the Metlhasetsile Women's Information Centre in her country, which promoted the human rights of women and children. She also co-founded the Woman and Law in South Africa Research Project in her home village and is actively involved in the advocacy group International Women's Rights Watch. Justice Dow is well-known in international legal circles for her role as the plaintiff in the groundbreaking case in which Botswana's nationality law was overturned, leading to the passage of legislation through which women were enabled to pass on their nationality to their children. Her human rights work led to her election to The International Commission of Jurists, the most prominent lawyers' nongovernmental human rights group, several years ago.
An experienced criminal prosecutor, Justice Dow worked in the Attorney General's Chambers for many years. After that experience, she founded and led Botswana's first all-female private law practice. Today, Justice Dow serves her country as a Justice of the High Court of Botswana. In December 2006 she again made history as one of three judges who decided the Kgalagadi (San, Bushmaen or Basarwa) court decision, which concerned the Bushmen's right to return to their ancestral land.
For many years Justice Dow and the College of Law have had a strong affiliation. Several Urban Morgan Institute fellows have interned in the women's rights center she established, as well as served as judicial clerks.
An acclaimed novelist, Justice Dow has authored four novels. She is noted for her work evoking the struggle women face in striving for equality and justice in a country where old traditions are difficult to break. She has also written about the link between the Convention on the Rights of Children and children's legal status in her country.
This year's event is particularly special as Justice Dow's daughter, Cheshe, will be graduating from the law school. She will be graduating alongside Anitra Walden, a Katrina refugee, who completed her law degree here.
Contact Information:
Sherry English
513.556.0090
sherry.english@uc.edu
