Serving as centennial chairperson has given me the opportunity to be involved firsthand in many of the events held to celebrate the Oklahoma Bar Association's 100-year milestone anniversary.
The centennial year kicked off in September 2003, with simultaneous receptions at both the Oklahoma and Tulsa County Bar Centers, at which a piece of commissioned artwork was unveiled. Events were held every month throughout the year to give every bar member a chance to be a part of the occasion.
Also in September the book "Leading the Way: A Look at Oklahoma's Pioneering Women Lawyers" was unveiled with assistance from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the Women in Law Conference. Lawyers statewide were challenged to uphold the OBA's tradition of giving back to the community by donating a pint of blood and a quart of food during the month of October. In another tribute to the OBA's 100 years, attorneys who are veterans of war were honored during the 99th OBA Annual Meeting with a reception that featured a display of military memorabilia.
December saw the formation of a new "firm" - Kringle Klaus & Associates - one formed for the purpose of encouraging bar members to donate to this statewide toy drive, organized by the OBA's Young Lawyers Division. Diversity was the focus in January with a conference held at the bar center.
February gave members a chance to view a piece of history when the Gilbert Stuart full length portrait of President George Washington was on display at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, during a private reception honoring the Oklahoma judiciary.
Lawyers were invited to spend a day at the Capitol to meet and visit with their state legislators in March, and April found Oklahoma Bar Fellows celebrating the OBA's centennial at the Governor's Mansion. While the weather was unseasonably cold and rainy, it did not put a damper on the smoked salmon and live jazz music.
As for May's centennial celebration, the OBA recognized lawyers reaching 50-, 60- and 70-year membership anniversaries. Also, bar members with a multiple-generation tradition of careers as attorneys and judges were given the opportunity to record oral family histories.
Centennial festivities were continued during the summer with the Solo and Small Firm Conference, CLE "Sea-tennial" cruise to Cozumel and with events at all three Oklahoma law schools. Late summer arrived, and ground work began on the east lawn of the bar center for the construction of the Centennial Plaza, featuring imprinted bricks purchased by bar members.
After a long and rewarding year, Sept. 17, 2004 concludes this historic anniversary. The anniversary day begins with a bar center open house, the dedication of the Centennial Plaza and the burial of a time capsule. As the evening, and a year of remembering the past, concludes with the OBA Centennial Gala, we will look forward to embracing the next 100 years.
Stephen D. Beam |
