The Boston College Women’s Law Coalition honored Charity Clark ‘05, winner of the organization’s woman of the year award, in a celebration on April 10.
Clark was elected to the office of Vermont Attorney General in 2022, shattering the glass ceiling as the first woman to hold the title after working as an assistant attorney general and chief of staff for eight years.
“There was this wall in our office that had portraits of every single attorney general in Vermont, and it was a wall of men,” Clark said. “I like to joke how a picture is worth 1,000 words. Well, those pictures were like, ‘hey Charity, maybe you should run for attorney general.’”
Speaking at the event, BC Law Dean Odette Lienau said Clark is, “truly a BC lawyer,” upholding the rule of law and fundamental rights of others.
“Women in law, really, I think, can help to challenge outdated norms, advocate for equality, and serve as essential role models,” Lienau said. “Of course, many challenges remain: gender bias, pay gaps, barriers to leadership, a lack of solidarity in some cases—which is why it is so important to support, empower, and celebrate women in law.”
Clark emphasized her work fighting to protect Vermonters’ reproductive rights, keep schools and waterways free of chemical contamination, hold social media companies accountable, and protect the United States Constitution.
“It can be a scary time, and I want to say that from my perspective, nonetheless, our country is strong,” Clark said. “How fortunate I am to be on the front lines of, sometimes, what feels like fighting for our country, but you all are coming up behind me, and I know you will be ready.”
Photographs by Andres Leiva ’26
