MACON, Ga. — Mercer Law student Lauren Giddings died in 2011. On Sunday, community members will honor her memory during a 5K benefit run.
Giddings was very involved with Mercer Law and a member of the Association for Women Law Students (AWLS). She was also an avid runner. Proceeds from the 5K run will support law students as they prepare for the bar exam.
"It's a chance for us to gather as a community to celebrate a beloved member of our community Lauren Giddings and to really make sure that we give back and invest in our community," Mercer Law School Dean Karen Sneddon said.
AWLS Philanthropy Chair Allison Cartwright says the run is also a chance to celebrate the life of Lauren Giddings who is remembered as having a passion for giving back.
"She was an integral member of the Macon community as well as a Mercer Law student, just had her hand in a lot of things," she said.
Cartwright says Giddings was someone who couldn't say no to helping others and took on many responsibilities in her life.
Giddings is especially remembered for her work with making sure under-privileged people had equal access to justice through her work with the Public Defenders Office, AWLS and her many other roles both in Macon and Mercer Law.
AWLS hosts the yearly run to make sure the lawyers of the future look like all members of the community.
"It's really important in the legal profession that we have representation that really reflects society and make sure as members of the legal profession are focusing on clients, clients are able to see individuals who really represent them for who they are," Sneddon said.
Cartwright says Giddings believed studying law was about serving others.
"And that's why I'm in law school, I know that's why she was in law school. Ultimately, being an attorney is all about wanting to help people and so that's what we're trying to do here," she said.
Check-in for the race begins at 9 a.m. and kickoff is at 10 a.m. on Sunday at Amerson River Park. There will be prizes and registration is $30 per runner.
In case of inclement weather, the event Eventbrite page will have updated information about a raincheck.