The Next 100 Years, the successor project to the First 100 Years, has announced a new campaign to raise £100K to fund an ambitious undergraduate scholarship fund, and its campaign champions.
The Next 100 Years ‘Paving The Way’ campaign will support talented students whose research examines women’s legal history and their contribution to the evolution of the UK’s legal system.
The fund will back 30 scholars over a three-year period, starting in 2025 and will be open to men and women from all backgrounds in the final year of their undergraduate degree. They must be studying at a non-Russell Group university and be dedicating their dissertation or research to an aspect of women’s legal history.
The launch of this new initiative marks the ten-year anniversary of the First 100 Years project founded by Dana Denis-Smith in March 2014. It will see each of the 30 scholarships bear the name of a different female legal trailblazer from the first 100 years of women in law, including Dr Ivy Williams, the first woman in England to qualify as a barrister and Carrie Morrison, the first woman to be admitted as a solicitor.
In addition to a grant, each scholar will receive mentoring, the opportunity to speak at Next 100 Years events and potential placements at UK law firms to support them in taking their first steps into legal profession.
Dana Denis-Smith, CEO of Obelisk Support and founder of the Next 100 Years, said:
“10 years ago, we set out to recognise the female trailblazers who laid the groundwork for progress in the legal profession, celebrating their legacy and drawing inspiration to continue to push for equality for women in law.
“Our new Paving the Way campaign is designed to support students building on that body of work, shining a light on the often unrecognised role of women who have challenged societal norms, confronted injustices and helped to shape our laws and legal system. We want to give the next generation of game changers help on the first step of their journey into a legal career.”
The Paving The Way campaign has a stellar line up of legal leaders as patrons and champions to mark the 10th anniversary since First 100 years was founded.
Emma Waddingham, Founder and Editor of Legal News Wales has been invited to stand as a champion of the campaign. When asked ‘what does “paving the way” for future generations mean to you?’, she said:
“Not only do we need to show others what can be achieved to inspire the next generation, we have to create opportunities to make careers happen without allowing the same barriers to fall down behind us. Being more equitable can also open doors to intersectional diversity, and diversity of thought. For me, paving the way means walking the next generation in alongside us, not always behind us or in our shadow.
“I am proud and delighted to support the campaign and invite individuals and law firms to contribute to this important programme.”
The 10th Anniversary Board
- Christina Blacklaws
- Cherie Blair CBE, KC
- Simon Davis
- HHJ Anuja Dhir KC
- Alison Eddy
- Vicky Fox
- Millicent Grant KC (Hon)
- Susanna McGibbon
- Elliot Moss
- Amanda Pinto KC
- Lubna Shuja
- Lady Simler
- Rachel Spearing
- Penelope Warne
View the board members’ profiles here.
10th Anniversary Champions
- Mellissa Akinya
- Nilema Bhakta-Jones
- Amy Clowrey
- Caroline Edwards
- Lee Grunnell
- Jodie Hill
- Barry Matthews
- Holly Moore
- Jenny Moore
- Fizel Nejabat
- Banke Odunaike
- Chimdinma Okpalauko
- Fionnuala Oomen
- Emma Waddingham
- Alderman Kawsar Zaman
View the champions’ profiles here.
The scholars’ fund will be managed by Spark21, the charity powering both the First 100 Years and the Next 100 Years campaigns.
The fundraising campaign encouraging organisations and individuals to donate, will run for one year – until March 2025 – and the first cohort of 10 scholars will be able to apply in early 2025.
More information can be found here: next100years.org.uk/scholars
