KATE HOWARTH was born in Sydney, Australia in 1950 and grew up in the suburbs of Darlington and Parramatta,and far western New South Wales. She was forced to leave school at fourteen, due to hardship, and embarked on a didactic education that was followed by an eclectic career, finally working her way to a position where she co-owned and operated Manpower Personnel, a leader in its field.  

Following a fall from a train she was forced to retire and began writing her memoir Ten Hail Mary’s in 2002, which in 2008 was short listed the David Uniapon Award for Indigenous Writers. In 2010, it was shortlisted for the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award, and won the Age Non-Fiction Book of the Year. Kate is proud of her Aboriginal heritage and is connected to the Wiradjuri and Wonnarua people of New South Wales.

The much anticipated sequel to Ten Hail Marys, titled ‘Settling Day’ published by the University of Queensland Press, is due for release in March 2015.

ABOUT 'Ten Hail Mary's' by Kate Howarth...
Abandoned by her mother, almost at birth, Kate was raised by her volatile grandmother and various indigenous relatives.  Abandoned again by her grandmother when she was just 14 year old, Kate was left to fend for herself. At 15 she became pregnant and was sent to St. Margaret’s Home for Unwed girls, in Sydney.  When she refused to give up her child for adoption she was subjected to relentless intimidation that was tantamount to torture.

Ten Hail Mary’s is a remarkable story of courage and determination survival and hope. Although at times shocking in her frankness, Howarth is never self pitying of bitter. Ten Hail Marys went on to win the Age Non-fiction Book of the Year 2010 and was instrumental in opening the door to a full National Senate Inquiry into forced adoption practices in Australia, that resulted in an apology from the Catholic Church and the Commonwealth Govt of Australia.

ABOUT 'Settling Day' by Kate Howarth

Following on from her award-winning memoir Ten Hail Marys, Kate Howarth's extraordinary life continues in Settling Day.

Thrust out of her son's life while he is still a toddler, teenaged Kate has to rely on her wits and courage to start life anew. Filled with remorse and an unwavering determination to be reunited with her son, so begins Kate's journey as she fights injustice and prejudice to create a better life. She amasses a fortune helping to build one of Australia's most successful recruitment companies, only to lose it all in a legal battle. Kate once again manages to rebuild her life after a major injury, but is always haunted by her lost son.

Settling Day is a remarkable story of resilience that highlights the still prevalent injustices that many women face at work and at home.