NAPD 2024 Women's Virtual Conference

Revised and updated for 2024: We will discuss the trauma and stress public defender teams face, and their impact on us -  especially amidst local and political forces hostile to and undermining of our mission statements. We will also discuss various coping techniques for our well-being toolkit so that we might thrive, not just survive in this job; from the perspective of a 30-year public defender who still loves coming to work every day.

An important part of bringing about system change for our clients is to advocate in the Legislature and with the Governor's office. One way to do this is to have legislative committees within your PD office, meeting with Legislators, testify about relevant pending legislation, and develop draft legislation. As a woman, this can be intimidating as the legislature is still male-dominated and prosecutor-dominated. But, it is invigorating. I want to use my experience and SADO's experience in legislative advocacy to encourage women to use their voices in this way.

Breast cancer affects one in three women, making it the second leading cause of death among women in the United States. We all know the statistics, but what happens when the diagnosis hits close to home?
As a seasoned investigator with nearly 20 years of experience, I never imagined I would become one of those statistics. But life has a way of surprising us. I am stepping out of my comfort zone to share my personal journey with breast cancer—a journey that’s been anything but ordinary. In fact, I like to say I’m the poster child for “If it can go wrong, it will go wrong.”
This experience has reshaped not only how I navigate my personal life but also how I approach my professional world. In this presentation, I’ll candidly discuss what it’s like to work in a traditionally male-dominated industry while battling a life-threatening illness. It’s a fight for survival, yes, but also a fight for respect, resilience, and the ability for women to unapologetically advocate for themselves.
I hope to inspire and empower others to navigate their own challenges—both personal and professional—while finding strength in the face of adversity. This isn’t just my story; it’s a call for all women to take charge of their health and their futures. Grab your coffee, put down the pen, and let's talk candidly about the realities of juggling the fight for your life while you fight for the lives of others.

Setting boundaries can be weaponized against us, suggesting we aren’t caring or not committed to the cause. The result? We may not set or enforce them. Not setting (or expressing) clear boundaries can mean we are bound to our work and not at our most effective, losing ourselves in the process. Boundary diffusion results in over-extending, over-doing, and saying ‘yes’ even when we won’t be doing our best work. Boundaries tell others how we want (expect) to be treated. They are part of self-advocacy, self-care, and listening to our inner selves. In this hour we will explore how we create boundaries, how to leave the guilt in the background, and take care of ourselves while shaping the relationships we are in (and decrease anxiety, worry, and workaholism in the process).

The presentation is based on the book, Moms Eat First: 5 Principles to Prioritize Yourself and Create the Change You Crave.

The book was written to help moms prioritize themselves, who often place the needs of everyone else first. There are five key principles shared that focus on reflecting on what is important, rediscovering possibilities, resetting priorities, reclaiming what is important amid adversity, and releasing what you can't control.