Barbara Bryant Obituary

Barbara S. Bryant
June 14, 1949 - February 6, 2022
Barbara passed peacefully after a courageous journey with Alzheimer's. She was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Berkeley, where she also spent her adult life.

Barbara earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, her master's degree from California State University, Sacramento, and her J.D., with highest honors, from Golden Gate University, where her academic achievements were further acknowledged by her becoming editor of the Law Review.

Barbara later served as a federal law clerk for the Honorable Marilyn Hall Patel in the United States District Court. As a law practitioner, Barbara's areas of expertise were sexual harassment and sex and race discrimination. Barbara touched hearts and minds throughout her distinguished career as an attorney and mediator in her private practice, as an adjunct faculty member at Berkeley Law, and as a frequent public speaker and published author.

Barbara served on many boards: Equal Rights Advocates; Henderson Center for Social Justice, University of California, Berkeley; the Labor and Employment Law Section of the California State Bar; Earl Warren Inn of Court; Trial Lawyers of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties; California Women Lawyers; Alameda County Bar Association; San Francisco Bar Association; and Alameda County Superior Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Program.

In 2005, she toured India, by invitation, educating officials there on sexual harassment legislation.

In the course of her rich life, Barbara participated in 20 sports, summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, traversed every corner of Yosemite, hiked the John Muir Trail, visited 30 countries, attended more than 100 performances at Berkeley Repertory Theatre and San Francisco Opera, and rode a Harley-Davidson in San Francisco's Pride Parade. She was beautiful inside and out.

Barbara shared her life with many friends and, most intimately, with her loving and devoted life partner and spouse of 30 years, Elizabeth M. Williams, by whom Barbara is survived, along with Barbara's loving sister, Susan Bryant-Johnson. Unquestionably, Barbara and Elizabeth were the light and love of each other's life.

Barbara's enormous and far-reaching spirit lives on.

Those wishing to make a charitable contribution in Barbara's honor are invited to do so benefiting Yosemite Conservancy.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Feb. 13 to Feb. 20, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Barbara Bryant

10 Entries

Nony Morgan

Planted Trees

John Mounier

February 7, 2025

My heart is with Elizabeth and Susan.

Memory of Barbara's teach is strong and used to this day.

John Mounier
San Francisco

Alexander G van Broek

March 1, 2022

I sat next to Barbara in law school. She was then, as always, unforgettable. She wore a cut-off T-shirt and a double-headed axe on a silver necklace. She told me about working as a carpenter on a two-story frame house that was built in the theatre at Project Artaud. I was living at Artaud when that happened, and was amazed at how detailed the carpentry was for a house that could not be used. It was an endevour to teach women carpenters.

Barbara was a colleague when we both practiced labor and employment law. She was always generous with her time to discuss cases.

Barbara was passionate about justice for victims of discrimination. It was a job that was given to us by the death of Kennedy and LBJ's desire to do something good. There is no question that we, meaning all of the employment lawyers throughout the U.S., gave many people evidence that the constitution was there for them too. Whether we changed the climate of the American workplace, or merely raised the cost of treating employees badly, remains to be seen.

The struggle was worth it, in any event, and I know that Barbara valued her contribution and was proud of what she did.

In the late 80's Barbara told me that she like to play badminton. I played every Sunday with a group at the Jewish Community Center in Oakland. Two the players were actually quite good. She beat each one of us handily, and was rather kind about it.

I am sorry she has passed from us. I miss her.

Sandy van Broek

Marta R. Vanegas

March 1, 2022

Barbara,

You were the first to point out the role our egos play in how we view our jobs and how that way of thinking about ourselves can destroy our sanity and our concept of ourselves. You were a calm voice in a loud profession. I will forever miss you. Wishing you Godspeed for the journey.

Beth W. Mora

March 1, 2022

Deeply saddened by Barbara's passing. She was truly a wonderful person, advocate and mentor. She will be greatly missed and forever appreciated. May her memory be a blessing.

Pamela Myers

February 22, 2022

I am so sorry for your loss. Barbara was a wonderful and will be greatly missed.

Kaykey Craig

February 17, 2022

Elizabeth, my sincerest condolences. Barbara was extraordinary, as was your enduring love for each other. You are in my thoughts.

John Mounier

February 16, 2022

A great person to know, and to learn from. Goodbye Barbara.

John Mounier
San Francisco

Katherine Cook-Rainsberger

February 15, 2022

Elizabeth, my sincere condolences..

Katherine Cook
UC Berkeley

Susan Walsh

February 13, 2022

My heartfelt sympathies go to Elizabeth and Barbara's family and friends. I went to law school with Barbara; she was my friend and sometimes commute buddy. She was a very committed student and very committed to her career as a lawyer, mediator and neutral and her community. I last saw her at our class reunion 10 or so years ago. I am so sorry to hear that she wasn't well and even sorrier to hear she has passed. Rest In Peace Barbara, you are missed. Susan Walsh, Uchisar Turkey

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