WBASNY Domestic Violence Committee Presents the 2025 Norejko Schwaeber Amazon Gift Drive
Dear WBASNY members,
In recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, WBASNY is embarking on the fourth year of its annual Norejko-Schwaeber Gift Drive to support domestic violence organizations and the domestic violence survivors they serve across New York State.
The award-winning “Norejko Schwaeber Gift Drive” is named in memory of former WBASNY Domestic Violence Committee Co-Chairs Amanda Norejko and Lois Schwaeber, who were fierce warriors against domestic violence. Amanda Norejko passed away in August 2023 after a career of tirelessly helping victims while serving as a WBASNY officer and President of the New York Chapter. Amanda also co-founded this initiative and asked us to carry it forward. Lois Schwaeber passed away in June 2023 after decades of supporting domestic violence survivors while chairing WBASNY committees and as an active member of the Nassau Chapter.
The details of how you can donate are found on the WBASNY website at https://www.wbasny.org/about/committees/domestic-violence/buy-a-gift-for-a-domestc-violence-survivor/
From October through the holiday season, WBASNY members and Chapters are encouraged to purchase gifts from the wish lists of domestic violence organizations across New York State that are listed on the website.
We are deeply thankful for the incredible generosity of WBASNY members whose support has been vital to the success of this project. Your kindness has made a real difference in the lives of domestic violence survivors and their families. We hope you will open your hearts once again to help sustain this vital initiative—because together, we can bring hope, healing, and safety to many in need.
Sincerely,
Lisa Noroian, Esq., President
Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York
Joan L. Ellenbogen Founder's Award
This award is given to a distinguished member of the bar whose acts exemplify the essence of justice, thereby demonstrating harmony with the founding principles of WBASNY, for a singular outstanding achievement, a series of significant involvements or a lifetime of constancy of purpose in advancing the status of women in society and the law.
Marily Menge Award
This award is given to an outstanding member of WBASNY who has made valuable and significant contributions to a chapter or to the statewide organization. The award is named in honor of a member whose work, wherever she was needed in WBASNY, ensured its early success and who was a member of the Capital District Chapter.
Hanna S. Cohn Pro Bono Award
This award is given to a WBASNY member for contributions to the provision of pro bono legal services to the community in which the member practices, beyond the recipient's employment responsibilities.
Doris S. Hoffman Outstanding New Lawyer Award
This award is given to a WBASNY member who, as of December 31 prior to the convention at which the award will be presented, has been a member of the bar for not more than five (5) years, and who has made outstanding achievements within the profession, outstanding contributions within the WBASNY member's community, or both. The award is named in honor of WBASNY's 1994-1995 President, who encouraged new lawyers to become active contributors to their profession and community and showed them how to do so.
Stephanie E. Kupferman Juvenile Justice Award
Established and endowed by the Honorable Theodore R. Kupferman in 1999, and named in honor of WBASNY member Stephanie E. Kupferman, this award is given to a WBASNY member who has shown outstanding achievement in legal matters involving juveniles over a period of three or more years, as a prosecutor, defense counsel, law guardian or judge.