Overview

A 20th Century Portia, the story of Thelma Bernice Kerr-Thomson, a bona fide pioneer of women studying law. Thelma was born in Toronto, Ontario on September 28, 1922. According to a 1941 census, there were only 129 women lawyers in Canada, 112 of them were from Ontario. In 1942 Thelma, with the encouragement of her father, began her studies at the University of Toronto Law School, and in 1946 she entered Osgoode Hall. In September of 1949, Thelma was admitted to the Bar. Thelma accredits much of her success to the two men in her life--her father, and her husband whom she worked alongside in their county law practice. Thelma became a great advocate for women's rights in a time when women were just beginning to be heard. The local Crown Counsel in Lindsay, Ontario constantly referred to Thelma as Portia, especially when she was representing a young first-time offender. Here comes Portia with her pitch for mercy, he would say as she entered the courtroom. Thelma's journey was not an easy one. Being the first female lawyer in Lindsay and the Kawartha Lakes district, many clients would expect to receive her services cheaper than those of her partner/husband, David. But she wouldn't lower her rates! She worked hard, balancing a demanding career, while at the same time raising a family, and she did it all with a smile. Throughout Thelma's life, she rubbed shoulders with some very influential people, from the time she was in university, right through to her final days. Just to mention a few--Mary Eugine Charles, first female lawyer in Dominica and also the first female prime minister of Dominica; Louis Fox, Chief Justice of Jamaica; Royce Frith, leader in the federal Senate, and Canada's high commissioner in London, England; and, Judy LaMarsh, Secretary of State during the Trudeau years. From the times she grew up in, to the turmoil of love and career, to her many accomplishments with the career path she embarked upon, Thelma's story is a true inspiration to all women--then and now! 5 Points of Interest about the Book's Content or Story: 1. Pioneer of women in law, entering the Bar in 1949 2. First female lawyer in Lindsay/Kawartha Lakes district 3. Advocate for women's rights during a time when women were just beginning to be heard 4. Partners, with her husband, in a law firm they built, and which is still in Lindsay, ON. Now called Gemmill, Farn & Reynolds 5. Instrumental in the foundation of the International Student's Club at the University of Toronto during the war years.

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9780986816901

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Mary m. Cushnie-Mansour, a.k.a. Writer on the Run, is an award winning author residing in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. She is the author of the NIght's Vampire Series, plus collections of poetry and short stories, youth novels, and several bilingual children's books. Mary is an active blogger and book reviewer. Her website is www.writerontherun.ca

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