Spark21 is a charity founded to celebrate, inform and inspire future generations of women in the legal professions. The charity manages First 100 Years, a historical project recording the history of women in law. Next year, the project will celebrate the centenary of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919, which paved the way for women to become lawyers for the first time.

Marjorie Powell, first female student in Lincoln’s Inn

On the run-up to this celebration, First 100 Years is creating a digital museum on their website, including a timeline and biographies. There are a number of articles published here which have been written by university students, for example this one on Marjorie Powell.

Sounds great! What if I fancy writing something?

First 100 Years are looking for well-researched articles about the history of women in law, biographies of pioneering women in law, or #helpfulmen who championed women in the professions. If you’d like more information please email info@spark21.org.

They are also looking for people to volunteer by becoming Century Fundraisers – raising £100 for 100 years. There’s more information on that via the campaigns link.

Helena Normanton and Rose Heilbron, the first two women QCs