In the footsteps of Ethel Benjamin : New Zealand's first woman lawyer

Type

Book

Authors

November, Janet

ISBN 10

086473607X

ISBN 13

9780864736079

LCCN

KUQ 110 .B46

DDC

340.092

Tags

Lawyers & Judges, Historical Study & Educational Resources, Women in History, New Zealand, Women, Women and the law, Ethel Benjamin, New Zealand Biography, Biography

Abstract

"The book solves some of the mysteries of Ethel's life and work: how many brothers and sisters did she have? Where did the family live? Why did she, as a 'first wave' feminist, act for hoteliers when many of the women's movement supported the prohibitionists? It shows some of the obstacles Ethel encountered to becoming a lawyer in the late nineteenth century all-male conservative legal profession. The book portrays Ethel's determination, hard work, mental ability and 'can do' attitude. The epilogue compares Ethel's story with that of some of her less well-known but notable successors in the mid twentieth century, and some of her famous successors. This is a book about how New Zealand women overcame obstacles to practice in the legal profession, once the sole preserve of men, some soaring through the 'glass ceiling' to high positions in public life."--Book jacket.

Description

Content:
1. Ethel's birthplace: Nineteenth-century Dunedin -- 2. School days: The Girls' High School -- 3. University -- 4. Starting in Practice -- 5. Solicitor for the Society for the Protection of Women and Children -- 6. The Political Environment -- 7. Prohibition versus the Publicans -- 8. The Hotel Businesses: clients, partners and friends -- 9. General Practice: Contracts and Conveyancing -- 10. Cherry Tearooms and what happened next -- 11. Wellington -- 12. England and the Family -- Epilogue. Ethel's Legal Legacy: Successors in the Footsteps of Ethel Benjamin.

Biblio Notes

Includes bibliographical references (249) and index.
Donated by Graham Price
Categorized by publisher, then subject, then date.
Map on back cover.

Number of Copies