THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 22, 1994 TAG: 9408180496
SECTION: BUSINESS WEEKLY PAGE: 09 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: Janet Dunphy
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Twenty years ago, Hampton lawyer Sally Andrews turned down an offer to join a Wall Street law firm.
``I knew I was not a big-city person,'' she said.
Andrews sought a different challenge. She became the first woman to join a large Richmond firm.
Instead of working at home or in the clerical ranks, millions of women have sought professional careers in the last decade. Here's how Andrews fared.
Andrews, 46, grew up in Hampton and attended the College of William and Mary, where she ranked fourth among the 150 graduates of the 1973 law school class.
She clerked for the state's second-largest firm, now known as McGuire Woods Battle and Booth, then joined the firm.
Andrews left the Richmond firm after 1 1/2 years to return home and marry. She began working as Hampton assistant city attorney in 1975, which led to her current position as deputy city attorney. Her job focuses on the Hampton city schools and land-use issues for the city.
``I guess I've stayed because the city attorney's office represents the entire city,'' Andrews said. ``It's a broad spectrum, a lot of exposure.''
Andrews was also one of the first women members of the Hampton Bar Association, joining in 1975.
``Some of the older lawyers were not too happy,'' she said, adding that she never let it bother her. ``Sometimes you have to have a little bit of a tough skin.''
There was never any malicious intentions from her male colleagues, said Andrews, just intimidation and teasing.
``I let things bounce off my back. People are more accepting than if you get your feathers ruffled,'' she said. ``I try to be low-key about things. Maybe I'm a nonrocker of the boat.''
Andrews advises women facing the gender issue to have a good attitude and an open mind. She said men seem more accepting of women who don't come to the office acting like they intend to prove they are just as good.
``I think that if you come in with a chip on your shoulder expecting to find a problem you probably will,'' she said.
Balancing job and family has also proved to be a challenge for Andrews. She is married to Judge William C. Andrews III; their children are ages 9 and 13.
``That's a real challenge for women in any profession,'' she said. ``Balancing the job and the children - you have to be so organized.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Sally Andrews, 46, Hampton deputy city attorney, was the first woman
to join a large Richmond law firm. She says she never let her male
colleagues' intimidation and teasing get to her: ``I let things
bounce off my back. People are more accepting than if you get your
feathers ruffled.''
KEYWORDS: PROFILE
by CNB