Happy International Women's Day! #IWD18

7 March 2018
To celebrate International Women's Day, John Fowlers Solicitors are taking a look back at monumental moments for women in UK Law.
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To celebrate International Women’s Day we wanted to take a look back through some of the most monumental moments for women in UK Law. Let us know which ruling you find the most surprising! 

 
  • The Married Women’s Property Act was created back in 1870 and allowed married women to finally own their own property – previously any property they owned would’ve been transferred to their husband

  • In 1888 the Women’s Trade Union League secured the first ever successful equal pay resolution and Trades Union Congress

  • In 1902 the first petition demanding the Vote for Women was submitted to Parliament – it was 37,000 signatures

  • The Qualification of Women Act brought in in 1907 allowed women to be elected onto borough and county councils – as well as being elected mayor

  • Finally, in 1918 women over the age of 30 were granted the right to vote

  • It wasn’t until 1920 that women were allowed to work in legal or accountancy professions, when the Sex Discrimination Removal Act was created

  • The Law of Property Act was introduced in 1922 allowing both husband and wife to inherit property equally

  • In 1928 all women in Britain gained equal voting rights with men

  • The NHS was introduced and gave free health care to everyone – including women

  • In 1968 women at the Ford car factory went on strike over equal pay – their protest directly led to the passing of the Equal Pay Act in 1970

  • The first International Women’s Day is formed as an annual event by the UN General Assembly

  • Britain elects it’s first ever female Prime Minister – Margaret Thatcher – in 1979

  • Followed a few years later by the first female Lord Mayor of London, Lady Mary Donaldson

  • The European Union passed the Human Rights Act in 1998, guaranteeing basic principles of life for everyone

Hard to believe that up until 1920 women weren't even allowed to work in the legal industry, when 15 out of our 25 staff at  John Fowlers Solicitors are hard-working, talented women!

Happy International Women's Day!