We’re grateful to the trailblazers who have shown us the path ahead
Keira Petty and Zoe Roberts · February 6th, 2008
In 2007, 13 female lawyers (nine of whom are Bermudian) were called to the Bermuda Bar and are now currently practicing law on the island. In the last decade, there has been an average of 10 females called to the Bermuda Bar each year demonstrating a steady change in the profession that has historically been a predominantly masculine domain. The increasing emergence of female lawyers in Bermuda is a change consistent with worldwide trends, albeit somewhat belatedly.
Until the 1950’s Bermuda was devoid of female lawyers. In 1953, Dame Lois Browne Evans was admitted to the Bermuda Bar becoming the first female lawyer and subsequently the first female Attorney General and first female Member of Parliament. Her achievements inspired other females and gave them the impetus to pursue their professional aspirations.
A gradual increase of female lawyers emerged following Dame Lois Browne Evans’ marked accomplishment. Shirley Simmons and Ann Frith Cartwright were the second and third Bermudian female lawyers to be admitted to the Bermuda Bar joining Dame Lois Browne Evans in 1967 and 1970 respectively laying the foundation for those of us who would come after.
There are now almost 140 female lawyers on the list of practicing lawyers maintained by the Bermuda Bar Association. A significant number of those are Bermudians. In addition to those named on the practicing members list, there are a number of female lawyers both Bermudian and non-Bermudian who have chosen to work in fields not requiring a practicing certificate.
The Bermuda Bar Association, since its inception in 1975, has had 15 Presidents, of which three have been Bermudian females, namely Dianna Kempe, Elizabeth Jones and Robin Mayor. Our sisters at law have succeeded in reaching the upper echelons in business and in the profession generally, including but certainly not limited to: Madame Justice Norma Wade-Miller, the first female to be appointed a substantive Magistrate, a Justice of the Supreme Court, and Acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; Madame Justice Charles-Etta Simmons, appointed Justice of the Supreme Court; the Honourable Paula A. Cox, J.P., M.P., the first female Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier; Charlene Scott, the Registrar of the Supreme Court; Cheryl Packwood, the CEO of BIBA, formerly General Manager of Digicel and the BMA; and Kim Wilson who was recently appointed Bermuda’s second female Attorney General.
The heights to which these women have risen are indicative of the ability of women to balance a professional and personal life and yet still attain professional success. Many women encounter the challenge of achieving the right balance between their professional and personal commitments; however, the desire to balance both a career and family far outweighs the perceived limits placed upon females.
As two females recently called to the Bermuda Bar we recognise the contribution of those who have come before us and are grateful for the paving stones which they have magnanimously laid down showing us the way forward. They have demonstrated that there are no barriers or obstacles inhibiting females in the profession who can attain any heights to which they aspire with hard work and dedication.
Keira Petty and Zoe Roberts are associates in the corporate practice group at Mello Jones & Martin. Ms. Petty was called to the Bermuda Bar in September 2007 and Ms. Roberts in October 2007.