SOLOMON, Bertha. B.A., LL.B. Advocate. Born Russia 1st January. 1892. daughter of Idel and Sonia Schwartz. Came to South Africa 1896. Educated at Good Hope Seminary, Diocesan College and University of South Africa. One of the first women to be admitted to the South African Bar. Became Chairman of the Women's Suffrage Campaign in Johannesburg, which helped to secure the franchise for women in 1930. Member of the Transvaal Provincial Council for Bezuidenhout, 1933-38; Member of Parliament for Jeppe from 1938 until her retirement from politics in 1958. Campaigned for the liberalisation of South Africa's marriage laws and was the principal architect of the Matrimonial Affairs Act of 1953; also of the Motor Vehicles Insurance Act of 1942. Hon. Degree of LL.D. conferred on her by Witwatersrand University in 1967. Active for many years in Jewish communal life and is a member of various Jewish organisations. During World War II helped to establish the Women's Auxiliary Air Force in South Africa and was awarded a medal for her services. Married Charles Solomon, 1913; one son (Captain Frank Solomon, M.C.), one daughter (Mrs. Joan Comay, wife of Israel's Permanent Representative at the United Nations, Mr. Michael Comay). Recreations: Bridge, reading thrillers. Add.: 4, Riviera Mansions, Killarney, Johannesburg.
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