Women in law: It's hard to be what you can't see

This project stems from the School of Law’s commitment to the Athena SWAN Charter for gender equality, and its recognition of the importance of celebrating the successes of women in a visible way. It marks both the centenary of women’s suffrage (1918), and one hundred years since the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act (1919), an amendment to the law which sought to ensure against the disqualification of women by ‘sex or marriage from the exercise of public function’. This commission therefore comes at a watershed moment and serves to celebrate the progress that has been made through the lives of a group of remarkable women – both professionals and students – who have forged a path.

The concept for the project was born out of a simple idea: to visualise these women in a way that is relatable to those who will follow in their footsteps. The students who will pass through the halls of the School of Law at Queen’s University may find it hard to imagine themselves in positions of responsibility, influence or power, from which they could make a positive impact on the world. This project aims to show these young people that the judges, lawyers, teachers, politicians and policy makers of today were the students of yesterday, just like them.

Fittingly, the quotation that lends its name to Part of this commission – ‘It’s hard to be what you can’t see’ – was coined by a female lawyer. Marian Wright Edelman, founder and President Emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund in the United States, is a fascinating role model for current students. The first black woman admitted to the Mississippi bar, she has fought for the rights of vulnerable groups throughout her career. As a female and as a woman of colour she is a trailblazer. As we look to the future, her words are a gentle reminder of the need not just for gender equality within the institutions of the law in Northern Ireland, but also for greater diversity.