Ogot, Grace (1930–)

Kenyan author and politician. Born Grace Emily Akinyi, May 15, 1930, at Butere, near Kisumu, Central Nyanza, Kenya; received nursing degree at training hospital at Mengo, near Kampala, Uganda, 1953; completed 3-year course at British Hospital for Mothers and Babies (1955–58); m. Bethwell Allan Ogot (noted Kenyan historian), 1959; children: daughter, Wasonga Grace; sons, Odera-Akongo, Otieno Mudhune, Onyuna.

One of Kenya's most distinguished writers, 1st worked as a broadcaster, scriptwriter, and editor for BBC Africa Service in London; returned to Nairobi; published short story, "A Year of Sacrifice," in journal Black Orpheus (1963); initially wrote short stories in her 1st language, Luo; would also write in Kiswahili and English; published The Promised Land, the 1st novel by a Kenyan woman writer and a work of lasting substance (1966); published Land Without Thunder (1968), (short stories) The Other Woman (1976), The Graduate (1980), The Island of Tears (1980), and The Strange Bride (1989); wrote a column for the East African Standard; as well, worked for a period for the "Voice of Kenya," broadcasting a weekly radio magazine in both Luo and Kaswahili; served as founding chair of Writer's Association of Kenya; served as a Kenyan delegate to UN General Assembly (1975); appointed a member of the nation's Parliament (1983), then was elected in a by-election (1985); in novels and short stories, has attempted to relate the rich traditions of Luo history and folklore to younger generation of Kenyans.

See also Women in World History.