Australia’s 1st woman lawyer ‘can inspire those breaking down barriers today’
Iola Mathews spoke to Lawyers Weekly about her book, Flos Greig — a story about her great aunt and Australia’s first-ever woman lawyer.
Flos Greig was the first woman to practise law in Australia; special legislation had to be passed in order for her to practice — dubbed the Flos Greig Enabling Act.
Ms Greig emigrated from Scotland in 1889 with her parents and four sisters; the sisters made a pact that they would go to university, have a career, and not marry — it was almost impossible to do both in those days, said Ms Mathews.
After graduating from Melbourne University, she practised as a barrister and solicitor and set up her own practice in 1905.
Ms Greig travelled extensively in Asia and the Pacific and gave lectures and radio talks about her travels.
“Her impact was in breaking down the barrier to women entering the law,” said Ms Mathews, “and then continuing to work as a lawyer for most of her life”.
“I think history is forgotten unless we find ways of telling it,” Ms Mathews reflected.
“The story of women breaking into professions like law and medicine is largely forgotten, and it’s a great reminder that women have come a long way.
“Her story can inspire those who are breaking down new barriers today.”
“I think female lawyers today can be inspired by her courage and determination to overcome barriers,” she said, “along with her desire to keep learning new things and to share that knowledge, like with her lectures and radio talks”.
Ms Mathews reflected on the personal impact that her great aunt has had on her life. “I admire her courage and determination, also her love of travel and learning about other cultures,” she said.
Ms Mathews has been inspired by her great aunt and sisters, for their determination to break into male-dominated areas and fight for women’s rights.
The two eldest sisters, Jane and Janet, were among the first women to graduate in medicine from Melbourne University and were among the 11 women doctors who founded the Queen Victoria Hospital for Women in 1896.
“Like them, I broke into male-dominated areas, first in journalism at The Age from 1969–1982, in an era when there were very few women journalists, and later running the women’s employment program at the Australian Council of Trade Unions,” Ms Mathews said.
Ms Mathews was a co-founder of the Women’s Electoral Lobby in 1972 and worked on women’s rights from then on, subsequently documenting the journey in one of her books, Winning for Women: A Personal Story.
Cornwalls, being the first place Flos Grieg worked at, has continued to honour her legacy through their FLOS program.
“The program honours and celebrates the firm’s long and proud history of supporting women in their quest for gender equality in the legal profession, paying historical homage to the humble beginnings of alumni Flos Greig,” said Sofie Filippone, chief operating officer at Cornwalls.
Cornwalls’ national committee works to provide opportunities for women in law and to champion a gender-diverse and inclusive workplace.
Historically, Flos demonstrated that a pioneering spirit was key to transforming the basis of admission for females to the Australian legal profession, Ms Filippone said.
“She left an indelible mark on Cornwalls for the generations of lawyers who follow her through our firm’s doors.
“Flos lives on in our culture, with the firm continuing her work as a leading innovator in the legal sector,” she said.
Ms Filippone noted that the firm has signed up to the Law Institute of Victoria Charter for the Advancement of Women, in order to give greater support to women and gender equality in the workplace.
Ms Mathews noted that, without Cornwalls, the book might not have been written.
In 2019, Ms Mathews connected with Cornwalls, and they asked for her to give a talk to the board. Lockdown followed soon after their request, and Ms Mathews decided to write something for the board — the book grew out of that.
Cornwalls published the book and launched it in its new offices.
