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Johanna Leblanc, a May 2016 juris doctorate candidate at IU McKinney, will receive one of IUPUI’s “Outstanding Women Student Leader” awards during a reception at the Campus Center March 31.

Leblanc has been president of the Family Law Society for the last two years, and introduced the Teal Tie Sexual Abuse Awareness fundraising dinner in Spring 2015. The second event, slated for April 2, will raise funds to support Child Advocates in Marion County, and Women and Law in Southern Africa Research and Educational Trust – Swaziland (WLSA-Swaziland). Child Advocates represents children in cases of abuse and neglect to ensure their needs are met. WLSA-Swaziland fights against child marriage.

Leblanc also was an overseas intern in the Program in International Human Rights Law (PIHRL) during Summer 2015, where she worked in Chiang Mai, Thailand; Cape Town, South Africa; and Mbane, Kingdom of Swaziland. She also has served as president of the International Human Rights Law Society.

She is the embodiment of a student leader, said Professor George Edwards, one of the IU McKinney faculty who nominated Leblanc for the honor.  “Ms. Leblanc rises to every occasion, is always willing to assist, and is always willing to step up and lead should the need arise. She has found that the need to lead has arisen often, and she has accepted those challenges, at school and outside,” Professor Edwards said. “Staging a high-profile public event, such as the aforementioned ‘Teal Tie’ dinner, is difficult on top of the law school curriculum. To do it, Ms. Leblanc demonstrated her leadership skills, which include significant dedication, stamina, organization, and team work. Her leadership of the International Human Rights Law Society also reflects her positive attributes and skills.”

“I am truly honored to have won this prestigious award,” Leblanc said upon learning of the honor.