Una Marson was born on February 6, 1905, in Santa Cruz, Jamaica, to Rev. Solomon Isaac Marson and Ada Wilhelmina Mullins. She was one of six children in her family and grew up in a household that valued education and social justice.
Marson's career as a feminist, playwright, poet, and radio programmer began in 1926 when she was appointed as the assistant editor of the Jamaican political journal Jamaica Critic. It was here that she first began to explore the power of words and literature in promoting social change.
In 1930, Marson published her first collection of poems, titled Tropic Reveries, which explored themes of race, gender, and identity. She wrote about the beauty standards imposed on Jamaican black women in poems such as "Little Brown Girl," "Black is Fancy," and "Kinky Hair Blues."
Marson's activism extended beyond her writing. She played a key role in the canonization of Caribbean literature and helped establish literary and artistic institutions in Jamaica, including the Kingston Readers and Writers Club and the Kingston Drama Club. She also founded the Jamaica Save the Children Fund, demonstrating her commitment to social welfare and community development.
Marson's impact on Caribbean literature and activism is undeniable. Through her radio program, Caribbean Voices, she connected with contemporary writers such as T.S. Eliot and George Orwell, showcasing the rich literary talent of the region to a global audience.
Una Marson's work as an activist and writer continues to inspire new generations of feminists, artists, and social justice advocates. Her commitment to challenging beauty standards, promoting social change, and uplifting marginalized voices remains as relevant today as it was during her lifetime.