In 2022 the Inn is enormously proud to be marking an historic centenary – that of the first woman to be called to the Bar.
International Women’s Day
We called Dr Ivy Williams in May 1922, and International Women’s Day this year is an opportunity for us to reflect on this legacy and on the progress towards gender parity in the profession still to be made. Since then, we have had the privilege of being the professional home of distinguished women barristers and judges from all over the world. In this centenary year, The Inner Temple and Middle Temple are both led by female Treasurers, Her Honour Judge Deborah Taylor and The Hon Mrs Justice McGowan.
Explore the lives of some of our members here:
Earlier this year, we and our sister Inns of Court were delighted to announce the newly-established Inns of Court Alliance of Women (ICAW). Continuing the work of the Temple Women’s Forum, the ICAW exists to encourage and support women throughout their careers, and to increase retention and diversity within the profession. Intersectional in its approach, it will provide a pan-Inn forum in which issues facing women in the profession can be discussed to foster mutual support, with a view to improving the retention of women at the Bar.
We have long celebrated the lives of pioneering women at the other Inns of Court, and you can read more about them here:
On International Women’s Day this year, we will be using Twitter to mark a number of historic anniversaries since the first generation of female barristers were admitted and called to the Inn. Follow us on @TheInnerTemple to see more.