Justice Bertha Wilson: One Woman's Difference

by Kim Brooks (Editor)

Bertha Wilson's appointment to the Supreme Court of Canada in 1982 capped off a career of firsts. Wilson had been the first woman lawyer and partner at a prominent Toronto law firm and the first woman appointed to the Ontario Court of Appeal. Her career and passing in 2007 provoked reflection on her contributions to Canadian society and raised the question, what difference do women judges make? Justice Bertha Wilson examines Wilson's career through three distinct frames – foundations, controversy, and reflections – and a wide range of feminist perspectives. Taken together, these provocative essays paint an intriguing portrait of a complex, controversial woman who made a deep impression on the Canadian legal landscape.

344 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Kim Brooks is the personal essays editor at Salon. Her first novel, The Houseguest, will be published in 2016 by Counterpoint Press and her memoir, Small Animals: A Memoir of Parenthood and Fear, will be published in 2017 by Flatiron Books/ Macmillan. Her stories have appeared in Glimmer Train, One Story, Five Chapters and other journals and her essays have appeared in Salon, New York Magazine, and Buzzfeed. She lives in Chicago with her husband and children.

Reviews

[PRINCESS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bertha Wrenham-Wilson was born in Scotland. She recived her master of arts degree in Philosophy and later immigrated together with her husband to Canada. She continued her educations and received Bachelor of laws degree.
Bertha Wilson was the first female appointed as lawyer and partner justice of the supreme court of Canada in 1982. The book examines Wilson’s career through three distinct frames “Foundations”, “Controversy” and “Reflections”.
She gave a controversial and much-discussed speech about the role and influence of women in legal professions and the judiciary titled "Will Women Judges Really Make a Difference?
A nuanced portrait of a complex woman, it will appeal to lawyers, judges, policy makers, academics, and anyone interested in law and women's contributions to justice society.