Lola Young, Baroness Young of Hornsey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Baroness Young of Hornsey
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Official portrait, 2023
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| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| Assumed office 22 June 2004 Life peerage |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Margaret Omolola Young
1 June 1951 Kensington, London, England |
| Political party | None (crossbencher) |
| Spouse |
Barrie Birch
(m. 1984) |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | Middlesex Polytechnic |
Margaret Omolola Young, also known as Baroness Young of Hornsey, was born on June 1, 1951. She is a British actress, writer, and a member of the House of Lords. She is also the Chancellor of the University of Nottingham. As a "crossbench peer," she does not belong to any political party.
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Early Life and Education
Margaret Young was born in Kensington, London. Her parents were from Nigeria. She went to the Parliament Hill School for Girls in London.
After school, she studied dramatic art at the New College of Speech and Drama. She earned a special qualification in acting in 1975. A year later, she also received a certificate to teach. In 1988, she earned a degree in Contemporary Cultural Studies from Middlesex Polytechnic.
Career Highlights
Margaret Young worked as an actress from 1976 to 1984. She was on many BBC shows for young children. These included Play School and, on Radio 4, Listening Corner and Playtime. She also played Janey, a next-door neighbor, in the children's TV show Metal Mickey from 1980 to 1983.
From 1985 to 1989, she helped lead the Haringey Arts Council. She managed training and development there.
Teaching and Writing
From 1990 to 1992, Young taught about media at the Polytechnic of West London. After that, she taught at Middlesex University. She became a professor of Cultural Studies there. In 1995, she wrote a book called Fear of the Dark: Race, Gender and ... in Cinema.
Public Service and Leadership
Margaret Young has held many important public roles. In 1997, she became the director of the Archives and Museum of Black Heritage. She was also a Commissioner for the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts. From 2001 to 2004, she was in charge of culture for the Greater London Authority.
On June 22, 2004, she became a "life peer." This means she was given the title of Baroness Young of Hornsey for life. This title allows her to be a member of the House of Lords. The House of Lords is part of the UK Parliament. In 2013, she supported a campaign for women to be able to inherit noble titles.
She has also been part of many other groups. These include the English Heritage's Blue Plaques Committee and the board of the Royal National Theatre. She also chaired the judging panel for the Orange Prize for Fiction.
Baroness Young is interested in fair trade around the world. She is a trustee for the Aid by Trade Foundation. She also supports the National Secular Society.
In 2017, she led the judging panel for the Booker Prize, a famous award for books.
She is also a co-chair of the Foundation for Future London.
In 2020, she became the Chancellor of the University of Nottingham. This is a very important role at the university.
In 2024, her life and music choices were featured on the BBC Radio 3 show Private Passions.
Honours and Awards
In 2001, Margaret Young was given the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This was for her work in British Black History.
In 2019, the University of Nottingham gave her an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree. This is a special degree given to people who have achieved a lot. In 2020, she was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
