Blue plaque for first black, female BBC broadcaster

Una was the first black, female broadcaster at the BBC from 1939 to 1946. She was a feminist activist and secretary to the League of Coloured People as well as many other organisations including the Women's International League for Peace.

She lived on Queen's Road, Peckham with Doctor Harold Moody's family and in Camberwell for a while but, as secretary to Haile Selassie, she travelled with him to the League of Nations to plead on behalf of the people of Abyssinia.

The unveiling is part of Southwark's Celebrating Women month throughout March. Both aim to recognise the achievements and contributions of women around the world and in Southwark respectively.

Councillor Adele Morris, executive member for Citizenship, Equalities and Communities is delighted that residents have voted to recognise Una's achievements with a Southwark blue plaque.

She adds, "Una was a feminist who campaigned for equality, and was politically active at a time when this would have been difficult for a woman, and doubly so for a black woman."

Delia Jarrett-Macauley, author of The Life of Una Marson 1905-1965, will unveil the plaque. BBC representatives and officers from Southwark Council's culture service will be present to mark this occasion.

For more info: www.southwark.gov.uk/blueplaques

Information

• Information
• Unveiling at 11am, Sunday March 8 2009, 17 Brunswick Park, London SE5
• We anticipate great interest in this event, so we ask that you confirm your attendance. Please RSVP Samantha Lahai-Taylor at: samantha.lahai-taylor@southwark.gov.uk
• Cllr Adele Morris is available for face to face interview specifically on the topic of equalities
• Delia Jarrett-Macauley is potentially available for interview about the life of Una Marson
• For more information on blue plaques, visit www.southwark.gov.uk/blueplaques
• Una Marson, background information: southwark.gov.uk/DiscoverSouthwark/BluePlaquesSection/Voteforyouriconin2005/UnaMarson.html