Dorothy Archdall Raymond was born in 1909 and is remembered as a legal pioneer.
Dorothy was the first woman to gain an LLB from the University of Canterbury, graduating in 1931. Despite this, she was denied employment as a lawyer as at the time, the profession was regarded as for men only.
Three years later, she was employed in her family’s firm in Timaru, Raymond Raymond & Tweedy, but as a typist rather than a lawyer.
In 1938 she was the first South Canterbury woman to be admitted to the Bar, which permitted her to take on clients. Specialising in wills, estates, trusts and conveyancing, she quickly grew her reputation and attracted a large clientele. She was offered a partnership in the family firm in 1951, becoming one of the first women in New Zealand to achieve this in the legal profession. Concurrently, Dorothy was involved in many voluntary organisations, including serving as President of the New Zealand Business and Professional Women’s Club.
After almost 40 years of continuous work, she retired in 1977.
Dorothy passed away in 1997 and has left an inspiring legacy for all women pursuing their chosen careers.
