2025 winner BIOGRAPHIES
| Shauntia is a third-year law student at Marquette University Law School. A Milwaukee native, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Marquette University with majors in Criminology and Law Studies, and Social Welfare and Justice. Shauntia is especially interested in public interest law and is passionate about advancing equity and expanding access to justice, particularly for underrepresented and marginalized communities. She aspires to use her legal education to promote meaningful change and to continue building on her dedication to service. Shauntia is honored to be recognized with the Association for Women Lawyers Foundation Virginia A. Pomeroy Scholarship and looks forward to carrying forward its mission. |
Shauntia CarsonKate is a second-year law student at the University of Wisconsin Law School. She was born and raised in El Paso, Texas and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Texas A&M University. Prior to law school, she worked as a K-12 substitute teacher and served as an instructor for federal diversion and reentry programs that aimed to reduce recidivism for returning citizens. During her first year of law school, Kate drew upon these experiences and presented a legal philosophy paper on the pedagogy of successful diversion programs at Howard University. This past summer, Kate clerked at the Madison City Attorney’s Office, where she researched and drafted a municipality’s appellate brief in response to a quasi-judicial decision. At Wisconsin Law, Kate is involved in the Criminal Defense & Youth Advocacy Clinic. She also serves as a Student Ambassador for the law school. This year, Kate serves as the Legal Liaison for La Alianza and maintains involvement in the Technology Committee for the Jackie Macaulay Auction. Additionally, she is a member of the Women’s Law Student Association and the Public Interest Law Foundation. Kate plans to practice in Wisconsin after graduation and pursue a career in public interest law. |
Kate Girven |
Nancy Ramirez | Nancy is a third-year law student at Marquette University Law School with an interest in labor and employment. She currently serves as a research assistant to Professor Scoville and works as a Lexis representative. Before law school, Nancy gained experience at several law firms as a legal assistant, paralegal, and practice management assistant. As a first-generation law student, she sought to ensure that law school was the right path for her and went on to earn two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. There, she was active in DEI initiatives and helped launch a project to recruit and retain underrepresented students in the Honors College. Nancy immigrated from Mexico at the age of twelve, an experience that inspires her passion for the law and her dedication to advancing DEI in the legal profession. She has been an active member of the AWL for the past two years and looks forward to continuing her involvement with the organization. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Nancy is the youngest of three children and enjoys spending time with her family and three cats. She also loves trying out new restaurants, water skiing, and exploring experiences in her community. |
Eva is a second-year law student at the University of Wisconsin Law School. As a local from southern Wisconsin, she is thrilled to be back in her home state after spending the prior four years pursuing her undergraduate degree at Creighton University. Eva studied accounting and has successfully completed the four-part exam required to obtain licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She hopes to leverage her experiences within the accounting and legal fields to break down barriers and advocate for vulnerable groups. To this end, she has pursued various volunteering opportunities with the local Madison community, particularly through the Veterans Law Center and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) clinic, where she serves as a student coordinator. Additionally, Eva is looking forward to working with the law school’s Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic this academic year. After spending the last several months working with a woman-led venture capital firm, she is excited to continue expanding her abilities through the clinic’s work with fledgling startups and small businesses. In her free time, Eva enjoys reading and spending time exploring the beauty of southern Wisconsin with her family dog. |
Eva Tersteeg |
Kathleen Ujdak Shirley S. Abrahamson Scholarship | Kathleen graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and spent the last eight years working in state government. She now serves as a Federal Grant Compliance Manager on the legal team at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, where she conducts legal research, navigates complex federal regulatory requirements, and helps design financial assistance programs that support Wisconsin businesses and communities. Kathleen is a 3L at the University of Wisconsin Law School, pursuing a career in public interest law. She has taken a nontraditional path to her degree, completing her J.D. over five years while attending evening classes as a part-time student and working full-time. At UW Law, she is heavily involved in the Mock Trial program, previously serving as Vice President and competing in two national competitions. She has earned multiple trial advocacy awards and will continue her involvement this fall as a mock trial coach. After graduation, she plans to continue her work on WEDC’s legal team, using her UW education to advance WEDC’s mission. Kathleen lives in Waunakee with her husband, Max, and their dog, Milo. In her free time, she is an active member of the Waunakee Community Band. |
PAST Scholarship winners
2024 2023 2022 Sarah Bondar ^Dusty Gross 2021 Sebrina Dixon 2020 *Mckenna Rae Kohlenberg *Liz Simonis 2019 Erin Bartenstein | 2018 *Taylor Brisco 2017 Alisha Esselstein 2016 Alexandra AbernethyHannah Dockendorff *Whitney Ederer *Courtney Roelandts 2015 Alixandra Jacobson 2014 Liz Bradley 2013 Chelsey Metcalf 2012 *Kelliann Blazek | 2011 *Susan Barranco 2010 Lora Chupita 2009 Erin Page Fitzgerald 2008 *Melanie Black 2007 Rachel Abhold 2006 Krisstine Ebner | 2005 2004 2003 Jessica Shoemaker 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 |
*Virginia A. Pomeroy Scholarship ^Shirley S. Abrahamson Scholarship |