To Whom It May Concern,
All who knew Sarita understood that she never did anything by half measures; she tackled every challenge with zeal and an unwavering commitment. In the short time she was with us Sarita left an enduring legacy of passion for what a friend called “doing the right thing.” Commitment to family, friends and to the justice system were the hallmarks of her life.
Sarita Wright Lucas and her unborn daughter Claire passed away unexpectedly on September 21st, 2014 at the young age of 33. A new wife, mother and accomplished rising star in Delaware’s Department of Justice she still had many dreams left to fulfill. While her family and friends lost a treasure that will never be replaced, her colleagues, members of the Judiciary and fellow attorneys lost a fierce advocate for justice.
As a Deputy Attorney General Sarita was a dedicated advocate for families seeking equity for their loved ones who were impacted by violent crime. As a passionate proponent for making criminal offenders accountable to the community, she tried cases that colleagues told her were not winnable in an effort to balance the scales of justice.
We are remembering Sarita and celebrating her life and the life of her infant daughter Claire by establishing The Sarita and Claire Wright Lucas Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to support young women of color like Sarita who are interested in careers in the justice system as Prosecutors.
Law school debt is well documented. What’s not so well known is the need for additional funds to prepare for the Bar exam. Unlike law school graduates who pursue careers in a corporate practice, those who choose to work for public agencies are on their own financially to prepare for the rigorous Bar exam. The cost of the prep course –about $5,000 – causes many graduates to take out personal loans to cover costs such as rent and food, since preparing for the exam is tantamount to an unpaid, full-time job. These costs are enough to steer many away from prosecutorial work.
To this end, the foundation will provide full financial assistance for Bar Exam Prep courses, MBE Review & PMBR and registration fees.
Please join us in this effort to support those young women of color who have a passion for justice, and like Sarita, are committed to “doing the right thing”.
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
Nelson Mandela
With Appreciation and Many Thanks,
Wanda Geer & Trustees
The Sarita and Claire Wright Lucas Foundation
