On October 30, 2009, my mother moved for my admission to practice law in the state of Minnesota before the Minnesota Supreme Court in Saint Paul's Roy Wilkins auditorium. My Central high school graduation in May of 2001 was held in that same auditorium, and I, terrified and thrilled, sang the song "Out Here On My Own" from Fame in front of thousands of people.

My mother's welcoming words on the occasion of my admission to practice were captured on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mlbNZeN5KA

Saint Paul's Roy Wilkins Auditorium will thus always be a place of personal power for me as an independent woman.