Women’s History Month: Caroline Wannamaker Sink

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Robinson Bradshaw is highlighting women from the firm throughout March. Meet real estate attorney Caroline Wannamaker Sink.

Describe what you do at Robinson Bradshaw.

The core of my legal practice is commercial real estate finance. Having practiced law at Robinson Bradshaw for nearly 40 years, I’ve had the privilege of representing a variety of institutional lenders, equity investors, developers, business owners and nonprofit organizations to secure financing, including tax-exempt financing, to support their objectives and goals. My practice also provides me with the opportunity to assist clients with other needs including acquisition, disposition and leasing of real estate, as well as with governance.

What do you most enjoy about your job?

Helping our clients navigate complex transactions successfully. I take special pleasure in the relationships I’ve developed with clients with whom I’ve worked for some years where I am a valued and trusted adviser.

What advice do you have for other women in the workplace?

This is not a solo flight – ask for help. Gratefully welcome advice and support from trusted friends and colleagues. Working women wear multiple hats and regularly need to be able to pass on one or more of the hats to partners and reliable service providers. 

Who is a historical female figure you admire, and why?

I cannot hold up Sarah Grimké (1792-1873) without her younger sister Angelina Grimké Weld (1805-1879), both prominent activists for the abolition of slavery and women’s rights, born into a wealthy slave-holding family in Charleston, South Carolina. I admire keenly their drive to educate themselves at a time when women’s education was not valued, and the clarity of their conviction, matched with their courage, to speak out against the established social structure widely supported by their family and community. Their lifelong efforts inspired generations of other women. I see the long arc of their efforts in the more recent historical figure of Amanda Gorman. Her prophetic poem and eloquent delivery at the 2021 presidential inauguration captured for me the importance of this moment in time to continue to challenge our social structures to advance social justice. 

What is one lesson you’ve learned during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The importance of setting aside time and making firm plans to connect with friends and colleagues. With so many people working remotely, limited social engagements and few activities away from home, it’s very easy to go for long periods of time without seeing people who you would more routinely cross paths with at work, in worship or a meeting, or at a restaurant or the grocery store. 

Tell us something about yourself that we wouldn't learn from your website bio.

I depend on Audible to satisfy my love of reading and my need to be physically active. An audio book allows me to lose myself in a good book and spend time walking and enjoying the outdoors.