Bernardine Evaristo, author of 'Girl, Woman, Other', has received a one-off Women's prize award for her outstanding contribution to literature. The article details her long career, her 'firsts' as a Black woman in literature (Booker Prize, RSL presidency), her use of her platform to support other writers, and her plan to donate the £100,000 prize money. It also touches on controversies and her personal history.
‘I’m here to open doors’: Bernardine Evaristo on success, controversy and why she plans to donate her £100k award
Bernardine EvaristoWomen's prize for fictionWomen's prizesAwards and prizesBooksFictionCulture
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Bernardine Evaristo, author of 'Girl, Woman, Other', has received a one-off Women's prize award for her outstanding contribution to literature. The article details her long career, her 'firsts' as a Black woman in literature (Booker Prize, RSL presidency), her use of her platform to support other writers, and her plan to donate the £100,000 prize money. It also touches on controversies and her personal history.
Trending- 1 1982: Graduated Rose Bruford, co-founded Theatre of Black Women.
- 2 1986: Theatre of Black Women put on Jackie Kay's first play.
- 3 1994: First poetry collection, Island of Abraham, published.
- 4 1997: Lara published.
- 5 2013: Reading from Mr Loverman in south London.
- 6 2019: Won Booker prize for Girl, Woman, Other (first Black woman, shared with Margaret Atwood); became first Black woman president of RSL.
- 7 2020: Accepted OBE.
- 8 2021: Memoir Manifesto published; Private Eye cartoon published; launched Black Britain: Writing Back series.
- 9 Last month (relative to article): Mr Loverman TV adaptation won two Baftas.
- 10 This week (relative to article): Received Women's prize inaugural Outstanding Contribution award.
- 11 Future: Plans to donate £100,000 award money.
- Increased recognition and opportunities for Evaristo
- Acceleration of her career
- Wider audience for her work
- Reissuing of her backlist
- Potential support for other writers through her donation
- Increased diversity awareness in publishing
- Controversy over Booker prize split
- Headlines for RSL
What: Bernardine Evaristo received the Women's prize inaugural Outstanding Contribution award and plans to donate the £100,000 prize money to support other writers. The article also covers her career achievements, including being the first Black woman to win the Booker Prize and become president of the Royal Society of Literature, and her advocacy for diversity and equality in the arts.
When: This week (for the award), 2025-06-08 (published date), 2013 (Mr Loverman reading), last month (Mr Loverman TV adaptation Baftas), 2019 (Booker Prize win), 2020 (OBE acceptance), 2021 (Manifesto memoir, Private Eye cartoon), 1982 (Rose Bruford graduation, Theatre of Black Women co-founding), 1986 (Jackie Kay's first play), 1994 (Island of Abraham published), 1997 (Lara published).
Where: South London (bookshop reading), Hackney, east London (Mr Loverman setting), London (meeting location), Brunel University (professor), Woolwich, south-east London (childhood), west London (current home outskirts), England (father's life), Roman London (Emperor's Babe setting).
Why: To recognize her 45 years of outstanding contribution to the arts and literature, her pioneering achievements as a Black woman, and her dedication to opening doors and supporting under-represented writers. She plans to donate the prize money to further support other writers.
How: Through a one-off Women's prize award, public recognition, and her continued work as an author, professor, and advocate. She uses her profile to challenge inequality and promote diversity.