The People Speak, December 16, 2014
KATE HOWARTH - Australian writer and author of Ten Hail Marys, discusses her autobiographical work which recounts her early life in Australia, dealing with abuse, social obstacles, and facing a system that took unwed mother's children from them. Kate's award winning book helped bring attention to these unjust practices.
Guest, Kate Howarth
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.
The People Speak
The People Speak has evolved over the years with many great guests who have been interviewed by some very fine hosts.
We are a 55 minute show airing every other Sunday between 5-6pm Pacific/8-9pm Eastern. The show features a guest interview from any number of realms of interest (entertainment, science, philosophy, healing, spirituality, activism, politics, literature, etc.).
The guests share their stories, lives, strategies, books, philosophy, films, music, or whatever it is they use as a vehicle for making a difference for the better.
The radio show name, The People Speak, is based on the idea of allowing our audience - the People - a chance to interact with the guests during the hour, and we take phone or text questions from them during the interview.
Past guests include such notables as Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the late Howard Zinn, Nobel Laureates Mairead Maguire, Shirin Ebadi, Kathryn Najimy, Oliver Stone, Jesse Ventura, Richard Belzer, Cynthia McKinney, Cindy Sheehan, Scott Horton, Joan Jett, Willie Nelson, George Galloway, Roseanne Barr, Ed Asner, Chevy Chase, as well as various reps from Amnesty International, UN World Food Programme, and many others.
