In a ceremony yesterday (14 October) at Westminster Mansions, The Lady Chief Justice, The Rt Hon the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, joined other speakers at the unveiling of the English Heritage blue plaque to commemorate one of the first female magistrates, Gertrude Tuckwell. Gertrude Tuckwell was a prominent campaigner for women’s and workers’ rights who, following the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919, was among the first seven women appointed as magistrates, or Justices of the Peace (JPs). She went on to become the first woman sworn in as a magistrate for London- a landmark moment for women in the justice system.
The Lady Chief Justice in front of the plaque dedicated to Gertrude Tuckwell.She subsequently became an influential figure in the development of the magistracy, advocating greater training for magistrates, the use of probation and a more specialised approach to cases involving children and young people.
An English Heritage Blue Plaque commemorating the campaigner for the rights of working women, Gertrude Tuckwell.At the unveiling ceremony, the Lady Chief Justice delivered a speech in Gertrude Tuckwell’s honour, alongside contributions from Dr Mari Takayanagi, historian, archivist and author; David Ford JP, Chair of the Magistrates’ Association; and Jenny Kingsley JP, who nominated Gertrude Tuckwell for an English Heritage blue plaque. The event was chaired by Emily Gee, a member of the Blue Plaques Panel, and the plaque was unveiled by Bridget Phillipson MP.
In her speech, the Lady Chief Justice said:
“Gertrude Tuckwell understood that being the first matters most when those who come first ensure that they do not also become the last. She set the wheels in motion for the diverse, modern magistracy from which our society benefits today. “Diversity in the magistracy is not only something to celebrate in itself: it is vital to connect courts with the society that magistrates serve, to strengthen public confidence and to bring a breadth of experience to judicial decision-making.”
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seen at 10:46, 15 October in Courts and Tribunals Judiciary.