In 1833 Greene County was founded and one of the first orders of business was to establish a Circuit Court.  There was no courthouse so proceedings were held in log cabins and homes.  That is the backdrop for the long-forgotten story of a black woman named Milly Sawyers.  In 1834, Sawyers filed suit in Greene County for her freedom.  And she won.

The story of Milly Sawyers was uncovered in 2017 by the Greene County Archivist and brought to light by a News-Leader reporter.  Their work captured the interest of the community and spurred a theatrical production by Willard High School students called “The Milly Project.”  What started as a modest local production has evolved into a nationally recognized conversation starter. 

The Missouri Bar YLS and the Springfield Metropolitan Bar have joined forces to present the free CLE “Milly Sawyers' Freedom Suit- Reflections on our Past, Lessons for our Future” on Thursday, September 5, 2019, 6:00-7:30 p.m, at Ellis Recital Hall (building 156 on map at this link) with parking available in lot 24 (near Grand and National.)

The program begins with a private showing of The Milly Project, followed by a panel.  We are honored to host Chief Justice George Draper and the Honorable Patricia Breckenridge from the Supreme Court of Missouri, who will join the discussion as panelists. 

This event qualifies for 1 CLE in the new, mandatory category of diversity/ cultural competence.*  There is no charge for attorneys and their guests, but you must register in advance and space is limited.  

Additional program sponsors include Missouri State University and its Division of Diversity & Inclusion and Southern Missouri Women Lawyers.

 *(e) For each reporting year each lawyer shall complete and report at least 2 credit hours of accredited programs and activities devoted exclusively to professionalism, substance abuse and mental health, legal or judicial ethics, or malpractice prevention and at least one credit hour of accredited programs and activities devoted exclusively to cultural competency, diversity, inclusion, and implicit bias, unless the lawyer has not actively practiced law in Missouri during the period or has given notice of inactive status pursuant to Rule 6.03. Completion of these requirements shall be reported to The Missouri Bar as specified by the Missouri Bar.