The Gertrude Rush Award
The Gertrude Rush Award was co-established in 2003 and is co-sponsored with the Iowa Association of Women Attorneys. This award recognizes a lawyer who manifests the pioneering spirit of Gertrude Rush, demonstrates leadership in the community and in the legal profession, and demonstrates concern for human and civil rights.
INBA receives National Recognition
The award is for NBA Lawyers, including some icons in the INBA, who have led countless legal fights to expand access to restaurants, hotels and movies theaters.
Recipients of the Gertrude Rush Award
2024: Stephanie Wright
2023: Deborah Petersen
2022: Judge Odell McGhee
2021: Chief Judge Susan Christensen
2020: Helen Miller
2019: Vicky Long Hill
2018: Kristina Stanger
2017: Erin Lain
2016: Angela Onwuachi-Willig
2015: Judge Karen Romano
2014: Shontavia Johnson
2013: Sharon Malheiro
2012: Barbara Schwartz
2011: Bonnie Campbell
2010: Chinyere Ukabiala
2009: Roxanne Conlin
2008: Romonda Belcher
2007: Judge Artis Reis
2006: Adrien Wing
2005: Inga Bumbary-Langston
2004: Diann Wilder-Tomlinson
2003: Willie Glanton
Journey Award
The Journey Award was established by the INBA in 2019 and recognizes individuals/ groups who have demonstrated a commitment to equity and diversity and have enriched the lives of others.
Recipients of The Journey Award:
2024:
Judge Romonda Belcher, Judge Mark Bennett and Let’s Talk Now
2023:
Professor Adrian Wing, University of Iowa College of Law
2022:
Judge Henry Hamilton
Iowa State Bar Association
Drake Black Law Student Association
2021:
Iowa Representative Helen Miller and the Iowa Bar Association Young Lawyers Divison
2020:
The NAACP Legal Redress Committee (Betty C. Andrews accepting on its behalf)
Professor Russell Lovell, Drake University Law School
Former Drake University Law School Dean David Walker
2019:
Chief Justice Mark Cady and Attorney Alfredo Parrish
INBA President Henry Hamilton selected as Chairman of American Bar Assocation (ABA) Solo Practice Division
INBA member Henry Hamilton elected first African American President of the Iowa State Bar Association
