Mithan Lam: A female pioneer who broke barriers in the legal profession

Mithan Lam: A female pioneer who broke barriers in the legal profession

 Mithan Lam, a pioneer and champion of women’s rights, was the first woman lawyer to practice in the Bombay High Court. Her inspiring journey and remarkable achievements paved the way for generations of women lawyers in India and beyond.

 Early life and education:

Born in Mumbai in 1898 to suffrage and women’s rights activist Herabai Tata and the Tata family of noted industrialist Adeshir Tata, Mithan Lama was destined for greatness. She was one of the first women to attend the prestigious Elphinstone College in Mumbai, where she excelled financially She topped the course.

 Inspired by the suffrage movement and the influential Sophia Duleep Singh, Mithan, along with her mother and Sarojini Naidu, jointly advocated for equal rights for Indian women to send a memorandum to the House of Representatives and the Viceroy of India who had there at the time and sent to London as ambassadors.

 First Job:

In 1919, Mithan Lam and his mother enrolled in Economics at the London School, where Mithan obtained a Masters degree in Economics, while simultaneously studying law at Lincoln's Inn In 1923 he did history by becoming the first female lawyer to join the bar at Lincoln's Inn. it is called in the middle.

 Returning to Mumbai, Mithan joined legendary lawyer Bhulbhai Desai and began working in the Bombay High Court breaking barriers and challenging social norms

 Overcoming Negative Thoughts:

Despite facing misogyny and being treated like a "zoo animal" in his early days on the Supreme Court, Mithan endured. His first case involved a lawyer who hired his staff to discredit the opposing party who had been defeated by their woman.

 Contributions And Accomplishments:

Throughout his illustrious career, Mithan Lam specialized in Parsi personal law, marriage, divorce and inheritance. She was a member of the All India Women’s Conference and worked as the editor of their journal Stridharma for five years.

 Mithan's contributions extended beyond the court. He was appointed justice of the peace and later promoted to chief justice. He also served on the committee to amend the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act of 1865, resulting in the 1936 Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act

 In 1947, Mithan became the first woman mayor of Bombay, an honorary role for a distinguished citizen. She is also the first women lecturer at the Government Law College,Mumbai,she worked there as a Part-Time lecturer.

 Recognized for his exceptional service, Mithanlam was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1962, one of India’s highest civilian honours.

 Assets and Incentives:

Mithan Lam's autobiography "Autumn Leaves", Sujata Messi's novel "The Bombay Prince" immortalize his life and achievements. She stands as an inspiration to women lawyers practicing in India and the UK, reminding them of their ability to overcome obstacles and break down barriers.

Conclusion:

Mithan Lama’s life is a testament to the strength and resilience of courageous women to challenge the status quo. His unwavering determination and commitment to equality have left an indelible mark on lawyers and the public alike. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we honor pioneers like Mithan Lam who have paved the way for future generations of women.