Mhairi Black

The black history you might not learn at school: Una Marson

Una Marson amongst colleagues including T.S. Eliot and George Orwell looking over her shoulder
BBC
Una Marson (centre) worked alongside George Orwell (standing) and TS Eliot (seated), who are pictured looking over her shoulder

Poet, dramatist, and broadcaster Una Marson made history by becoming the first black women to be employed by the BBC.

Born in Jamaica, Marson moved to the UK in the early 1930s and took up her first position at the BBC as a programme assistant in March 1941.

"She was a real pioneer in giving voice to black women's experience, as well as generously creating a platform for other contemporary black voices," historian Robert Seatter says.

Read more here.

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