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January 27, 2012

KIM AZZARELLI WINS RUTH G. SCHAPIRO AWARD

Kim K. Azzarelli is the recipient of the Ruth G. Schapiro Award, given by the Committee on Women in the Law of the New York State Bar Association.

The committee recognized Azzarelli's work to advance the status of women across the globe. The Manhattan resident is the co-founder of the Avon Global Center for Women and Justice at Cornell Law School. She is president of the Women in the World Foundation, which she founded in 2011.

Since its launch in March 2009, the Avon Center has provided pro bono assistance to judges on gender violence issues; collaborated with the New York City Bar Association's Committee on International Human Rights and the Virtue Foundation on an in-depth report on acid attacks in the third world; and hosted an annual international Women and Justice Conference.

"Kim Azzarelli is an inspiration. She is a prime example of how one can make a positive impact through the law," said Anna S. Park of Manhattan (Zeichner Ellman & Krause), co-chair of the Committee on Women in the Law. "We are pleased to honor her contributions to helping women and children."

"By educating the public and profession, Kim Azzarelli has sparked important dialogue to help women all over the world. Her dynamic leadership motivates others to join the cause and make a difference," said Sharon M. Porcellio of Rochester (Ward Greenberg Heller & Reidy), co-chair of the Committee on Women in the Law. "She is a most deserving recipient."

Azzarelli, on behalf of Avon, teamed up with the U.S. Department of State to organize the first Senior Roundtable for Women’s Justice in Washington, DC in March 2008. The event brought together women judges, political leaders and lawyers to discuss how to eradicate violence against women and improve their access to justice.

She and former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor wrote an article, "Sustainable Development, Rule of Law and the Impact of Women Judges," which was published in the Cornell International Law Journal in 2011.

She is vice president of new ventures for the Newsweek Daily Beast Company. She graduated from Cornell University and Cornell Law School.

The award recognizes a State Bar member for his or her outstanding contributions to addressing the concerns of women. It is named for the late Ruth G. Schapiro, the first chair of the Committee on Women in the Law.. Azzarelli received the award in New York City on January 27th during the House of Delegates meeting.

The 77,000-member New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. It was founded in 1876.

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