Abigail Adams Society
Founded in 2001, the Abigail Adams Society is an organization where moderate, conservative, and libertarian women can come together to engage in discussions on their views and ideals, as well as socialize and form friendships with other HLS students. Over the years, the scope of the Society’s dialogue has expanded to include politics, current affairs, trends in the judiciary, international relations, and other thought-provoking topics about which the Society’s namesake, Abigail Adams, certainly had strong views.
Last year, highlights included a presentation by Susanna Dokupil, the former Assistant Solicitor General for the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, entitled "The Breeding Omnipresence: A Tale of Work-Family Blending." In past years, we have also hosted lively debates on topics such as "Is There a Glass Ceiling?" (between Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Chief of Staff, White House Council of Economic Advisers, and former HLS Professor Christine Jolls) and "Innate Gender Differences: Do They Matter in Academia?" between Christina Hoff Sommers of the American Enterprise Institute and HLS Prof. Elizabeth Bartholet. Additionally, the Abigail Adams Society hosts a number of social events each year, ranging from informal Thai food and movie nights at members' houses to our Valentine's Day Party, co-sponsored with the Federalist Society.
2010 – 2011 Officers
President – Brenna Jenny
Brenna is a 2L from Green Bay, WI. She graduated from Dartmouth College in 2009 with a BA in Economics. At Harvard, she is also the Special Events Chair for Federalist Society and a Senior Editor for the Journal of Law & Public Policy. She is concurrently pursuing a joint degree with the School of Public Health.
Vice President, Speakers – Rachel Frankeny
Rachel is a 2L from Houston, Texas. She graduated from Baylor University in 2009 with a BA in Economics and Political Science. At Harvard, Rachel also serves as Acadamic Chair for the Federalist Society, as a Senior Editor for the Journal of Law & Public Policy, and as an Editor for the Harvard Law Review.
Vice President, Social – Vanessa Assae-Bille
Vanessa is a 2L who grew up in Europe but now calls Reno, NV home. She graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2009, with a BA in Political Science. Vanessa serves as the Symposium Chair for the Federalist Society, as a Senior Editor for the Journal of Law & Public Policy, and is also a member of the Black Law Student Association.
Treasurer – Jaime Latcham
Jaime is a 2L from Denver, CO and loves all things outdoors. She graduated from the College of William and Mary in 2008 with a BA in History. During her 1L summer she interned with International Justice Mission in La Paz, Bolivia.
Contact Us
If you would like to be added to the email list, or have questions about the organization, please email Abigail.Adams.HLS@gmail.com