TWO solicitors spoke to Keighley Soroptimists about pioneering women in the legal profession.

Alison Barnet and Val Stevenson – of Goldberg Blackburn & Howards – said that prior to the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act of 1919, women were barred from becoming lawyers.

But a number of notable female figures have risen to senior posts in the profession over the years.

Christabel Pankhurst, daughter of the famous suffragette, became the first female member of the Law Society when the firm she worked for defied legislation which at that time barred such a move.

Carrie Morrison, a Soroptimist, was also a trailblazer in the profession. Together with four other women who qualified at the same time, they became family solicitors and stood up for those less fortunate than themselves.

The number of female solicitors has steadily increased. In 1931, there were only 31. By 1980, ten per cent of lawyers were women, and in 2000 that had risen to 36 per cent.

"We were given lots of anecdotes by our two speakers and it was a most enjoyable evening," said a Soroptimists spokesperson.

The meeting was held via Zoom, but the group is now staging face-to-face meetings at Keighley Healthy Living Centre.