Aylesbury Library receives new book celebrating 100 years of women in the law

Left to Right: Buckinghamshire County Council Chairman, Cllr Brian Roberts, I.Stephanie Boyce, Mr Francis Sheridan. (Image supplied by Buckinghamshire County Council)

A copy of a new book celebrating 100 years of women in the law has been donated to Aylesbury Library.

The book ‘First: 100 years of Women in Law’, marks 100 years since the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act was passed which allowed women to enter the same professions as men and celebrates in particular how the 1919 Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act allowed women to enter the legal profession and become lawyers.

Local resident and experienced solicitor I. Stephanie Boyce, who was elected deputy Vice President of the Law Society of England and Wales earlier this year, donated the book which was accepted on behalf of the library by the Chairman of Buckinghamshire County Council, Brian Roberts. Also present was local Crown Court Judge Mr Francis Sheridan.

Stephanie went to school at Bearbrook Primary in Aylesbury and then attended the Grange School as a child before her family moved to the USA where she continued her studies. She then came back to the UK and her first job in the profession was at a local Aylesbury firm.

Stephanie chose to donate the book to her local library, Aylesbury, to inspire the next generation of women in the legal profession.

The book, which charts the journey of women in the law, features Stephanie herself who boasts a few ‘firsts’, including the fact that she will be the first ethnic minority to hold the post of President of the Law Society when she becomes president in 2021.

Visiting Aylesbury Library today to hand over the copy, Stephanie said: ‘I want young local women to be inspired by this book and to see how things have changed for women in the legal profession over the last century. I began my legal career here in Aylesbury and it’s really important to me to make this donation to my local library.‘

Cllr Roberts said: ‘It’s been an honour to meet Stephanie. We are very grateful for her donation of this important book and for recognising the value of giving our fantastic library here in Aylesbury another valuable reading resource.

I do hope it inspires lawyers of the future and I also want to remind everyone that we have great study facilities here at the library including lots of computer terminals and quiet study space – so whatever you are studying for, do come to the Library.‘

Further information on local library opening hours and what’s on at the libraries in Buckinghamshire can be found on the Buckinghamshire COunty Council website at www.buckscc.gov.uk/libraries.

*Source of article : Press release from Buckinghamshire County Council.