Judge Wolf is a longtime supporter and former WOMEN'S WAY Board Member who currently serves on the 35th Annual Powerful Voice Awards Host Committee.
Name: Flora Barth Wolf
Profession: Retired Judge, Court of Common Pleas (or, member of 2nd oldest profession, lawyer)
Education: BA, Connecticut College; MAT, The Johns Hopkins University; JD. University of Pennsylvania
WOMEN'S WAY Volunteer History: Board member in the '80s; faithful supporter; member 35th Anniversary planning committee ( and in other years, long ago).
Connection to WOMEN'S WAY Mission: My first involvement with Womens Way began when I saw the Judy Chicago Dinner Party exhibit and tried to get it to Philadelphia as a fund raiser. Philosophically, my connection is through my concern for the unmet needs of women and children. As a teacher, lawyer and judge, I have seen the impacts of poverty, drugs and mental illness on children and their families and looked for ways to better their lives, which I see as Womens Way's mission as wall.
Greatest Achievement: Raising two wonderful daughters to be strong, independent, loving women leading satisfying, successful lives.
Life Aspirations: To arrive on time, be truly chic, loose ten pounds and clean my closets? No? To leave a lasting mark on the world through some change in the functioning of DHS, the Family Court, and all of City government which will provide greater safety, stability and education for all children in care in Philadelphia.
Favorite Female Authors: Barbara Kingsolver, Louise Erdrich, Laura Ingalls Wilder
Mentors: My parents, for living their lives with passion and concern; Lois Forer as a female lawyer and judge; several colleagues on the Bench.
Greatest Lesson Learned: My daughters sometimes complain that I taught them "You get what you get and you don't get upset." Although I deny it totally, it might be true. Certainly, I never learned the "don't get upset" part, but accepting that life is what it is, however far from perfect, and that our job on earth is to make it the best life we can may be the greatest lesson.
Favorite Restaurant: the old Astral Plane
Favorite Movies: The Big Chill, American President, Casablanca
People I hope to Meet: I have known many great and wonderful people and hope to know many more, particularly Elena Kagan and Sonia Soto-Mayor. I hope to meet my great grandchildren and to watch them grow up.
Dream Job: Being a Judge was in many ways my dream job. It gave me opportunities, challenges, griefs and joys beyond parallel. My hope for the next chapter is to create/discover/found a residential program for girls growing up in DHS custody who become minor mothers without the support and faith they need to become successful parents and adults.
logo and slogan A POWERFUL VOICE FOR WOMEN are federally registered service marks of WOMEN'S WAY.