Women at the University of Iowa law school, both students and professors, reflect on how their identity as a woman affects their place in the legal world in the wake of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death.

With the start of the semester, the University of Iowa College of Law in Iowa City, Iowa, welcomed one of the most ethnically diverse classes in its 155-year history. Collins Byrd, assistant dean for admissions, announced that 24.6 percent of the members of the incoming class are people of color, eclipsing the previous high of 23.6 percent in 1992’s incoming class.

The University of Iowa College of Law recently announced the hiring of Neda Barrett as its first Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Global Engagement.

“Following the death of George Floyd and amongst the extensive historical backdrop of police brutality among communities of color, we understood that it was time to do more and address racism in the College of Law,” said Committee member Meddie Demmings IV, “The College of Law recognized this, too, and gave us the green light to meet, talk, and submit this report.”