"This enlightening biography of a pioneering poet, feminist and activist whose voice shaped history as the first Black female BBC broadcaster is un-put-down-ably inspirational."
Brilliantly researched, and told in a vivid style that conjures the creative spirit, courage and resilience of its trailblazing subject, Calling Una Marson does dazzling justice to a woman whose story, talents and achievements deserve to be sung from the rooftops, and known far and wide. Kudos to June Sarpong and Jennifer Obidike for shining such an illuminating light on Marson.
We first meet Marson (it really does feel like you get to know her) in 1920s Jamaica — a young middle-class woman with “her own desires, her own ambitions, and she wanted to put them out into the world”. As a result of the views of her Jamaica Critic employer not aligning with her own, Una feels she has “one option: to carve out the space for herself that no one else would allow”, and so she launches her own magazine — such is the kind of indomitable position Una takes throughout her life.
Political engaged from a young age, Una was called to create a new life in London in 1932, overcoming racist and sexist prejudice to become the BBC's first Black female broadcaster in 1941, and becoming part of a circle of intellectuals and writers that counted George Orwell and T.S. Eliot among its milieu.
Shot-through with engaging personal detail and powerful political contexts, Calling Una Marson shares an extraordinary story in utterly engaging style.
| Primary Genre | Biographies & Autobiographies |
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