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Award-winning author offers unforgettable stories of ‘untouchable’ women at UEL public lecture - Monday 14 April

Wednesday 2 April 2008

Award-winning author Valerie Mason-John will read from her moving new account of oppression in the Indian caste system in a free public lecture and debate at the University of East London (UEL) Docklands campus on Monday 14 April.

Valerie Mason-John is a celebrated playwright, author, and performance poet, who goes by the stage name of 'Queenie'. Valerie's first novel, 'Borrowed Body' won the 2006 MIND Book of the Year Award. In 2007, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of East London.

At UEL, Valerie will discuss her ground-breaking new book, Broken Voices: ‘Untouchable’ women speak out, which offers first-hand accounts of the lives of Dalit women – formerly known as ‘untouchable’. The book exposes the women's experiences as wives, agricultural workers, slum dwellers and political activists

Valerie said: “In Broken Voices, I have tried to remain authentic to these extraordinary women’s voices, to show their great courage in speaking out about their lives, and to highlight the visionary work of people like Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar in campaigning against the caste system.”

Valerie’s reading will be followed by a panel debate, chaired by Professor Corinne Squire, Co-director of UEL’s Centre for Narrative Research. Malati Wankhede, a community activist born into a Dalit family, and Hilary Swain, who has supported social projects in India for over a decade, will join Valerie and Corinne for the discussion.

Professor Squire said: “Broken Voices is of great historical and sociological value; the book not only captures the silenced voices of Dalit women but also highlights the continuing issues of human rights abuses and caste discrimination in India.”

The Broken Voices event will take place at UEL’s Docklands campus from 5-7pm on Monday 14 April. All are welcome, admission is free and refreshments will be served. For further details, visit www.uel.ac.uk/lectureseries or contact Franc Gooding on 020 8223 2884 or events@uel.ac.uk.

For details and pictures contact Daniel Cherry: 020 8223 2194

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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