To mark the formal conclusion of the 100 Voices for 100 Years project, we commissioned a special animation and poem, inspired by the collective accomplishments of the First 100 Years of women in law.
Poet: Holly McKenna (Author of ‘Sisters-in-Law and ‘Sisters-in-Solidarity’). Read Holly’s contribution to our voices and biography here.
Narrator: Karen Fishwick
Coordinator: Marie-Claire Boyle
Animator: Clarissa Hanekom
Music: ‘Awaken’ by Anno Domini Beats
With thanks to Ashurst and Dentons for their generous sponsorship of this animated film.
By Holly McKenna
(for the First 100 Years – and the next 100 too)
The bravest sisters who came before us,
Smashing pieces of glass ceilings to dust
Beneath their feet; pulling up their own seat
At the table, the bench, wherever they
Pleased – seats once sturdy in their allegiance
To perceived superiority, since
Shown to be an unfounded claim, borne
Of prejudice. Now, we call ourselves witness
To this change in precedent ; evolution
Carried by those who opened doors we must
Ensure remain open. We are no longer
Begging audiences – we command them,
Captivate them, instead. Our words are our
Weapon, our resilience a promise:
To tread well the path, to stride forward today
That those who come next might follow in our footsteps
