Washington Courts: News and Information

Justice G. Helen Whitener Named 2020 Recipient of “Passing the Torch Award” from Washington Women Lawyers

Washington Supreme Court Justice G. Helen Whitener has been named the 2020 recipient of Washington Women Lawyers (WWL) “Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst Passing the Torch Award,” which will be presented by the WWL in October.

Whitener was named for her dedication and efforts to mentor young women of diverse backgrounds to enter the legal profession. In addition to her mentoring efforts throughout her career, Justice Whitener also helped to create Pierce County’s “Color of Justice Program” (an adaptation of the National Association of Women Judges program) that provides young women an inspirational opportunity to meet and interact with female judges and those of color. Due to its success, the program has since been adopted by other courts throughout Washington State.

“This is such a well-deserved recognition for Justice Whitener,” said Chief Justice Debra Stephens. “As a colleague, she inspires us each day in her pursuit of justice and she has done so much to encourage the next generation to become leaders in the legal profession.”

“I am truly honored and humbled to be the 20th recipient of WWL’s Passing the Torch Award and only the second since it was renamed in 2019 in honor of retired Justice Mary Fairhurst, former Chief Justice of the WA State Supreme Court,” said Justice Whitener. “This is such a significant milestone in my life as a jurist and one of those celebratory recognitions that I will remember always and with gratitude. I will carry this Torch with pride and promise to uphold the principles encompassed in this Award as I continue in my journey as your Supreme Court Justice.”

The Passing the Torch award was renamed last year in honor of Fairhurst, a former President of WWL. The WWL serves as Washington's largest organization dedicated to furthering the full integration of women in the legal profession and promoting equal rights and opportunities for women.

Of this year’s award Fairhurst said, “I am very pleased that Justice Whitener is the recipient this year,” she said. “She is most deserving and has been a wonderful mentor and served as a role model to many for a long time.”

Whitener is also known for her commitment to justice and equity. She serves as co-chair of the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission and as a member of the Civil Legal Aid Oversight Committee.

Last year, Whitener was also awarded the Washington State Bar Association’s C.Z. Smith Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award, the King County Washington Women Lawyers President Award, Seattle University School of Law’s Woman of the Year Award, among others. A full biography can be found at www.courts.wa.gov.