WNE hosted the 25th Annual Celebration of Law Alumni and Students of Color and Award Ceremony on Friday, April 4. Hosted by the WNE School of Law Alumni Association in conjunction with the Office of Alumni Relations, this event acts as a heartfelt tribute to the values that continue to shape the School of Law community: diversity, leadership, and unity.

Honoring the transformative impact of the School of Law, two alumnae helped share its legacy—the young alumni speaker, Attorney Michelle Tsang L’17, and the second annual Law Alumni Luminary Award recipient and keynote speaker, the Hon. Tina Page L’82. The evening also featured the astounding journey of the now graduate, Shreya Patel, who served as the Master of the Ceremony, and included remarks of gratitude from Dean of the School of Law Zelda Harris.

Highlighting a distinguished alumna who exemplifies a deep commitment to legal excellence, community service, and the mentorship of future legal professionals, particularly those from historically underrepresented backgrounds, this year’s Law Alumni Luminary Award recipient was the Hon. Tina Page L’82. Recognized for her work on the Massachusetts Superior Court from 1999 until her retirement in 2018, Judge Page made history as the second African American woman appointed to the Superior Court and the first in western Massachusetts. During her tenure, she was appointed to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court, serving on a three-judge panel reviewing state prison sentences. Additionally, she chaired the Bail Committee and served on both the Criminal and Probation Committees, demonstrating leadership and a commitment to fair and thoughtful justice.

With a heartfelt keynote address, Judge Page traced her remarkable journey to the bench while offering a candid and inspiring call to action to students, young attorneys, and community members—urging resilience, authenticity, and purpose for those just starting in their careers. She spoke with pride about giving back by way of mentorship to young women, helping them discover what kind of law they want to practice. Closing out her remarks, Judge Page expressed the importance of perseverance and civic responsibility, stating, “We are living in difficult and challenging times, but the cornerstone of our democracy is an independent judiciary. We must participate in the system in order to change it.”

The event stands as a testament to the strength of the School of Law community, its dedication to equity, and its enduring mission to uplift the next generation of leaders.