Una Marson had her own BBC show, 'Calling the West Indies', during World War II.
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A new library in Southwark is believed to be the first in the UK that is named after a Black woman.
The Una Marson library opened this week in honour of the Jamaican-born poet and playwright who moved to the borough of Southwark in the 1930s.
Despite the prominent ‘colour bar’ – a discriminatory practice which denied Black people access to services and goods, as well as jobs – Una became the BBC’s first Black producer and presenter during World War II.
Her show Calling the West Indies included interviews, music and personal messages from Caribbean servicemen and women based in England.
Southwark Council leader, Councillor Kieron Williams, said, “Una Marson was an inspiration to thousands, so it is absolutely fitting that this inspirational space is named after her.”
Una was selected by the council, who also describe her as a “treasured Southwark heroine”, and the local community from a long list of options.
Una Marson was a poet, playwright and activist. CREDIT: SOUTHWARK COUNCIL
The Una Marson library features a range of books, including a dedicated section to Black writing. CREDIT: SOUTHWARK COUNCIL
Southwark Libraries Heritage Manager, Praveen Manghani said, “We wanted to reflect the diversity of the borough. We’ve had quite a strong agenda around racial equality and tackling injustice.”
According to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), around 800 libraries across Britain have closed since 2010.
Figures show a continuous drop in spending on libraries year-on-year, despite in-person visits increasing by 68% since the pandemic.
However, Southwark Council shared that it remains committed to investing in library services.
Through capital investment, the council has opened four libraries in the last four and a half years, including a £2m renovation to Peckham Library earlier this year.
Praveen added, “We recognise that the library can be many things to many people.
“We’re working with organisations to promote social inclusion [and] tackle loneliness. We’re also working with local colleges and schools, so that our libraries can become more what you might call community hubs.”
The Una Marson library is open six days a week and will host an official launch celebration early next year, featuring performances from local poets and authors.
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HeadlineUna Marson: Southwark library first to be named after ‘inspirational’ Black woman
Short HeadlineSouthwark library first to be named after Black woman
StandfirstUna Marson, a Jamaican-born poet and playwright, was selected by councillors for her contributions to the community.
A new library in Southwark is believed to be the first in the UK that is named after a Black woman.
The Una Marson library opened this week in honour of the Jamaican-born poet and playwright who moved to the borough of Southwark in the 1930s.
Despite the prominent ‘colour bar’ – a discriminatory practice which denied Black people access to services and goods, as well as jobs – Una became the BBC’s first Black producer and presenter during World War II.
Her show Calling the West Indies included interviews, music and personal messages from Caribbean servicemen and women based in England.
Southwark Council leader, Councillor Kieron Williams, said, “Una Marson was an inspiration to thousands, so it is absolutely fitting that this inspirational space is named after her.”
Una was selected by the council, who also describe her as a “treasured Southwark heroine”, and the local community from a long list of options.
Una Marson was a poet, playwright and activist. CREDIT: SOUTHWARK COUNCIL
The Una Marson library features a range of books, including a dedicated section to Black writing. CREDIT: SOUTHWARK COUNCIL
Southwark Libraries Heritage Manager, Praveen Manghani said, “We wanted to reflect the diversity of the borough. We’ve had quite a strong agenda around racial equality and tackling injustice.”
According to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), around 800 libraries across Britain have closed since 2010.
Figures show a continuous drop in spending on libraries year-on-year, despite in-person visits increasing by 68% since the pandemic.
However, Southwark Council shared that it remains committed to investing in library services.
Through capital investment, the council has opened four libraries in the last four and a half years, including a £2m renovation to Peckham Library earlier this year.
Praveen added, “We recognise that the library can be many things to many people.
“We’re working with organisations to promote social inclusion [and] tackle loneliness. We’re also working with local colleges and schools, so that our libraries can become more what you might call community hubs.”
The Una Marson library is open six days a week and will host an official launch celebration early next year, featuring performances from local poets and authors.
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