annea conversation with claire williams.

judge and claire williams is also known about them -- also known as the mother of equal justice work. she joined the bench in 1991. can you believe it? she is so incredible looking. [laughter] but in 1991 judge williams awarded leftover fronts from a net i, which gave us the seed funding to create our postgraduate fellowship program. so, judge williams, thank you. we are forever indebted to you. judge williams served on the u.s. district court for the northern district of illinois. she is the first and only judge of color on the u.s. court of appeals for the second circuit. judge williams also founded an organization that aims to increase diversity in the judicial realm. before we begin a want to turn to our speakers and introduce you to this extraordinary audience. >> to understand how it ends you became such a force we begin at the beginning. you grew up in brooklyn. wonderful parents. your mom did complete high school. your dad didn't. your roots have been russian and youyou ayouyou a -- austria. your mother gave you some advice that stuck with you all your life. >> my mother was b

of course, we are so honored today to have the justice here to have a conversation with anne claire williams from the seventh circuit court of appeals. not need any introduction. even if she did, judge williams will be doing it over the next hour. we will have a fabulous person who will lead you through the phenomenal career. what i will -- i would like to introduce you to judge williams. the mother known as of equal justice works because in 1991, six years after she joined the bench -- can you believe it? she is so young looking, it is incredible. [inaudible] [laughter] awarded judge williams the leftover funds in an antitrust case, which gave us the funding to create our postgraduate fellowship program. at the time, seven fellowships and now, 300. judge williams, thank you. we are forever indebted to you. [applause] judge williams was the first attorney of color in the u.s. attorney's office in chicago. she was a division chief and and served as the -- on the u.s. district court. she is the person and only judge of color on the u.s. court of appeals for the seventh circuit. [applause] judg