Stella Jane Marke, (born Stella Thomas) was a trailblazer in the legal field. She became the first African woman to be called to the bar in Britain in 1933 and the first Black woman to serve as a magistrate in Nigeria in 1943.
Born in Lagos in 1906, she attended the Annie Walsh Memorial School in Sierra Leone, the oldest girls’ secondary school in West Africa. Stella travelled to the UK in 1926 to study law at Oxford University. While at university, she was an active member of the West African Student Association (WASU) and was bestowed the title of “Ogboni Agba” (esteemed elder), by its members in recognition of her outstanding contributions. Stella was also a founding member of the League of Coloured Peoples.
In 1929, Stella was admitted to the Middle Temple Inn, where she qualified as a barrister. She returned to Lagos in 1935 to set up a law practice. As a well-known figure, Stella actively participated in discussions related to Africa’s future. She criticised Lord Lugard’s dual mandate policy, calling for African involvement in resolving Africa’s problems. Stella Marke died in 1974, aged 68. She remains an inspiration, empowering generations of women in Nigeria who followed in her footsteps.
Refs: Stella Thomas – Wikipedia; Stella Thomas becomes the first West African woman to be called to the Bar. – First 100 Years;
Image credit: stellathomas.jpg (1200×676) (innertemple.org.uk)
