Four University of New Mexico (UNM) pre-law alumni delivered a proposal before the Chicago Bar Association (CBA), seeking the creation of an official task force to study Oscar desegregation.
The proposal was initially a final project in Professor Lawrence Jones’ Constitutional Law course in the Fall of 2023. It then evolved into a 99-page formal presentation and proposal. “UNM 10” submitted to the President and Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for review on October 8, 2024.
Peyton Bowes, Isabella Storms, Almarina Sosa, and Abigail McCoy presented a panel before CBA. They discussed the potential social and legal flaws in dividing categories, such as best actor and best actress, by gender.
The four are part of the “UNM 10.” Then, the students found the issues and initiative relevant and continued developing their work on the subject with Jones after the semester’s end.
UNM Grads Reflect on Presenting to the CBA
For Bowes, it was a huge honor to present before the CBA. “When the concept was first proposed to me, the idea of it made me nervous because, while I had done several interviews, I had never presented on a panel before, and I wasn’t sure how it would be different or how many people would be watching.”
“The unknown aspect was a bit nerve-wracking, as it always is, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity presented to share our work on the Oscars project. I think it is generally more of a benefit than a detriment to step outside one’s comfort zone, anyway.”
The CBA is among the oldest and most active metropolitan bar associations in the country. It has attracted a nationwide membership in part due to its educational offerings.
“I was truly honored that such a prestigious organization was interested in hearing our perspective, especially given that we are not lawyers,” Storms told UNM News. “Despite that distinction, they treated our presentation with the same seriousness and respect afforded to those delivered by legal professionals. It was clear to me that they were fully committed to ensuring our presentation met the same high standards as the others that day. That commitment spoke volumes about the organization’s integrity and its genuine interest in diverse, well-considered viewpoints.”
Storms said she hopes that if they continue to participate in discussions, they will be able to enact change.
“Gender segregation within the Oscar awards may not seem like such a big deal to everyday individuals who are not involved in filmmaking. But I believe that there is a [trickle-down] effect. If gender inequality at the most predominant awards in the [film-making] industry can not only be allowed but broadcast and celebrated, how can sexism not be internalized systemically?”
Professor Jones’ Perspective on His Former Students’ Initiative
Jones, who created the pre-law students’ Oscars project for his class, expressed pride in his students’ hard work.
“I am very proud of the hard work that UNM’s pre-law students put into the presentation, both to the Academy and to the Chicago Bar Association. As future attorneys who have not yet even started law school, their efforts and professionalism are remarkable and set a great example for other students who are ready to share their thoughts and ideas not only within UNM’s Constitutional Law classroom, but with the world,” he said.
“In this particular case, hopefully the Academy President and Board of Governors of the Actors’ Branch, as well as other Academy members interested in the subject, are willing to listen with open minds and will respond positively to the students’ hard work, efforts, and detailed analysis of the legal and social issues that are the focus of the presentation and proposal. These issues merit discussion both within the Academy itself and by the Academy leadership with the public in an open, constructive, and healthy way.”
The Academy leadership has not responded to the group’s presentation, according to UNM News. No changes have been made to the organization’s Oscar structure, nor has a task force been formed to evaluate changes. The 2026 Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 15, on ABC.