On Wednesday, March 27, The University of Tulsa College of Law’s Women’s Law Caucus presented Fern Holland awards to two remarkable individuals, both of whom are alumnae of TU Law: Rachel Blue and Christy Caves.
Blue (JD ’88) is a shareholder with McAfee & Taft in Tulsa, where she specializes in intellectual property law, franchise law, entertainment law and unfair competition matters. Caves (BA ’02, JD ’05) is an associate dean at TU Law and serves as the college’s director of professional development.
Women who lead and inspire
The award given to Blue and Caves is named in memory of Fern Holland. A TU Law graduate (JD ’96) and women’s rights activist, Holland was killed in Iraq in 2004 while working as a program manager for women’s initiatives for the Coalition Provisional Authority.
The Fern Holland Award is presented annually to a woman who embodies Holland’s spirit while working in the Tulsa legal community. In 2019, the Women’s Law Caucus chose two recipients – a local attorney (Blue) and a TU Law associate dean (Caves) – in order to be more inclusive of all the women who positively impact the legal community. “Rachel Blue and Christy Caves are very deserving recipients of the Fern Holland Award,” TU Law’s Dean Lyn Entzeroth said. “Both women lead and inspire those around them and serve as outstanding role models for our students.”
In memory of a “remarkable spirit”
“I have been involved with the TU Law Alumni Association since I returned to Tulsa in 1995,” said Blue; “and I remember when we established the Fern Holland award. I also remember why we established it. We honored one of our own who looked around at what was in front of her, saw things she wanted to accomplish and took action. I was very surprised and honored to be given an award that speaks to Fern Holland’s remarkable spirit.”
“I am deeply honored to have been nominated by the students I serve,” Caves commented. “Every day, I encounter hardworking, talented people embarking on meaningful legal careers. This evening, I want to pay particular tribute to the women at TU Law and throughout our local legal community. I admire you so much. I want also to thank the Women’s Law Caucus, whose members embody Fern Holland’s bravery and dedication. And what a thrill it is to receive this honor alongside the always inspiring Rachel Blue.”
The 2019 Fern Holland awards were presented at a celebratory banquet held at TU’s Allen Chapman Student Union.
