This
award is given to a woman who has made an outstanding, and possibly unremunerated,
contribution to the advancement of women in the law.
Eva Crawley had a remarkable impact on the legal profession, co-founding the Young Solicitors Group and the Trainee Solicitors Group, and revitalising the AWS. She was also President of North Middlesex Law Society and the Solicitors Benevolent Fund, and received an OBE for services to women solicitors. During her career, Eva also served on a Social Security Tribunal and held posts at the Police Complaints Authority, the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors, the Solicitors Complaints Bureau and the Parole Board.
Without Eva Crawley and talented women like her, it is unlikely that the AWS would be supporting its members today. In 1969, when plans were afoot to wind up the AWS, Eva pointed out that the Association was still very much needed. She, Rosalind Bax and other members of her hard-working committee reinvigorated the AWS, encouraging women solicitors to aspire high and help each other along the way. A mentoring scheme and maternity helpline were suggested, and Eva initially ran these services from her kitchen table. Another success was the Returner Course held every year at Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge aimed at helping women and men back into the law after a career break.
The first award was fittingly presented to Eva herself by Cherie Booth QC at the 75th AWS Anniversary Dinner in 1998. Since then Alison Parkinson, Geraldine Cotton and Elizabeth Cruickshank have also received the award for their exemplary contribution to the progress of women solicitors.
This award is given to a woman who has made a remarkable contribution to the legal profession throughout her lifetime.
Rosalind Bax received this award at the AWS Annual Dinner in 2006. The first female equity partner in a City law firm, Rosalind broke through one of the toughest glass ceilings. Throughout her career she was proactive in helping women solicitors, through the AWS and beyond.
