Geraldine Hemus

Geraldine Marian Hemus (11 November 1876 – 11 January 1969) was a New Zealand lawyer. She was the third woman in New Zealand to be admitted to the bar to practise law as a barrister and solicitor. Hemus also held positions with the National Council of Women of New Zealand and was a prominent member of the Auckland Theosophical Society. to Charles Hemus (a photographer) and Gertrude Evangeline Edger (a sister of Kate Edger, the first woman New Zealand to earn a university degree in New Zealand). Both her parents were immigrants from England and highly involved in theosophy. Their family home in Ponsonby was a centre for discussion and educational groups.

Hemus was educated at Ponsonby College, passing the matriculation examination in 1893 and the Senior Civil Servants Examination in 1895. She also studied shorthand with the Auckland Shorthand Writers' Association. Hemus went on to study law at Auckland University College. She continued as President of the Vasanta Garden School Trust Board during the 1930s.