A powerful memoir by Anita Bhalla OBE celebrating a life of activism, media leadership, and public service. Anita Bhalla’s life is a remarkable story of courage, conviction, and transformation. Her memoir, Though She Be But Little, She Is Fierce, is both a love letter to Birmingham and a testament to her tireless pursuit of social reform.
Anita Bhalla OBE, author of Though She Be But Little, She Is Fierce, celebrating a life of activism, media leadership, and public service.
Published by Bite-Sized Books, Though She Be But Little, She Is Fierce traces Bhalla’s remarkable journey from her family’s move from Kenya to Birmingham in the mid-1960s, through her early jobs, activism, and a career spanning broadcasting, academia, and civic leadership. Bhalla reflects on her role in challenging racism, championing Asian representation in British media and shaping public life through her work in the arts, trade unionism and charitable organisations.
In the foreword, BBC journalist Reeta Chakrabarti recalls: “She gave me support, encouragement and that all-important foot-in-the-door in a sector that is notoriously hard to get into… I remember earnest discussions with Anita about racism and sexism, and the effects of these prejudices on the community. She seemed to me a woman who was spirited and wise – and those two weeks of work experience she gave me eventually turned into my BBC career of over three decades.”
Breaking Barriers in Media
Bhalla moved from activism into journalism, becoming one of the early Asian presenters on British television and helping establish the BBC Asian Network. Her BBC career spans over 25 years, including roles as news correspondent, documentary maker, Head of Political and Community Affairs in England, UK Head and Editor of Public Space Broadcasting, and President of Circom, a Europe-wide public service broadcasters’ association. Reflecting on her early newsroom experiences, she says she was “a woman in a male den and one of colour,” earning respect while securing impactful stories.
A Personal Story
Her memoir also delves into her personal life. Bhalla recounts straddling cultures as the daughter of immigrants, working her first job at Chelsea Girl, and taking part in the Grunwick picket line. The book’s title—her description of her mother—reflects the formative influences that shaped her life.
Beyond broadcasting, Bhalla has shaped institutions across the Midlands. She chairs B:Music and Birmingham City University, serves on the Arts & Humanities Research Council, governs the Royal Shakespeare Company, and leads Iniva. Her civic portfolio also includes trustee, commissioner, and leadership roles across education, health, and the arts. Awarded an OBE in 2009, she also proudly earned the title of Brummie of the Year in 2019.
Written with warmth, insight, and personal charm, Anita Bhalla’s memoir is both a professional chronicle and a deeply personal story. It celebrates resilience, influence, and the power of leading by example, offering inspiration for anyone seeking to make a meaningful impact in their community.
