OWLS - Otago Women Lawyers' Society Inc.
OWLS was formed in 1986. Its objects include:
- to work for the equal opportunity and advancement of women in the study and practice of law;
- to work for reform of the law and its administration, and for the advancement of social policy, particularly as it affects women and children;
- to promote the use of womens' skills in law.
Activities
OWLS members contribute to national decisions on legal practice issues relevant to our members and participate in making submissions on law reform on issues affecting women.
We also celebrate and encourage women in the practice of law and hold regular social events, including:
- After work drinks to celebrate individual achievements of members;
- An annual lunch. To recognise the contribution of members who have been in practice for 20 years or more;
- The annual Ethel Benjamin Address;
- Suffrage Day Lunch;
- New Practitioners’ biennial lunch;
- Christmas lunch
Ethel Benjamin Address
Since 1997, OWLS has presented the annual Ethel Benjamin address, in honour of the first woman to be admitted to practice in New Zealand, here in Dunedin on 7th May, 1897.
The primary objectives of the Commemorative Address are to honour and preserve the pioneering spirit possessed by Ethel Benjamin, to encourage education and achievement in the women of today, and to stimulate debate about issues affecting social justice and gender.
Speakers have included:
- Dame Silvia Cartwright (former High Court judge and former Governor General)
- Jenny Shipley (the first woman to serve as Prime Minister of New Zealand)
- Georgina te Heuheu (the first Māori woman to be admitted to legal practice)
- Dame Sian Elias (Chief Justice of New Zealand and a Supreme Court judge)
- Dame Judith Mayhew (former Provost, Kings College, Cambridge)
- Beverley McLachlin (Chief Justice of Canada)
- Margaret Wilson (former Speaker of the House of Representatives)
- Susan Glazebrook (currently a judge of the Court of Appeal)
- Judith Potter (currently a High Court judge and the first woman to serve as President of the New Zealand Law Society)
- Pamela Tate (the first female Solicitor General for Victoria)
- Mary Jane Mossman (Professor, Osgoode Hall, Canada)
- Lowell Goddard (High Court judge and Independent Police Conduct Authority)
- Mary Gaudron (the first female justice of the High Court of Australia)
Membership of OWLS
OWLS offers regular newsletters, social gatherings, panels and discussion forums, and access to a support and advice network for women during their study or practice of law. All female law students and any women who have been admitted to practice are eligible to join.
To join the Society download and complete the membership application form
or write to OWLS, P.O. Box 5632, Dunedin.
OWLS Executive 2010
| Convenor: | Taryn Gudmanz |
| Deputy: | Stephanie Pettigrew |
| Secretary: | Allie Cunninghame |
| Treasurer: | Kellie Divers |
| Committee: | Gina Chin
Vivienne Heward
Larna Jensen
Ruby Moynihan
Lauren Pegg
|
| Past Convenor: | Jo Hambleton |
Other women lawyers’ organisations
OWLS serves women law students and women lawyers of Otago. There are other organisations or groups which share similar objects:
For a list of regional organisations or groups, click here.
