Happy Shoe Year: A Message from NCSC President Mary McQueen
January 3, 2024 -- As we welcome the new year, I want to thank you for your readership of @theCenter. Your support and interest in our work at NCSC are deeply appreciated. I assure you that we will keep sharing valuable stories related to state courts and courts worldwide.
Stepping into 2024 with hope and optimism, I am reminded of the metaphor of buying new shoes. New shoes represent a fresh start, a chance to try something new, and the beginning of a new journey.
When my journey as president of NCSC began almost 20 years ago, I asked my predecessors, Ed McConnell, Larry Sipes, and Roger Warren, to send me a pair of their old shoes. I wanted to display them in my office as a symbolic reminder of their NCSC legacy. Ed, Larry, and Roger were highly respected figures in state courts, known for their innovative work and contributions to the field.
Today, lining a shelf in my office are a pair of Wing Tips, boots, Teva sandals, and my own black and white pumps. Their old shoes became my new ones, reminding me of the big shoes I had to fill. Regardless of their condition, seeing these shoes comforts me and reminds me that a journey has many steps.
Over the years, the collection has grown with court leaders from around the world sharing shoes to demonstrate their support of NCSC’s direction and the part they play in our story. Looking at these shoes now, I am overwhelmed by the sentiment that we are not alone on our journey. We walk with those who have gone before us and pave the way for those who come after us.
Thank you again for your support and readership. I hope your journey in 2024 leads you down the paths of those who have inspired you.
Happy Shoe Year!
