SANDRA CISNEROS “It was not until this moment when I separated myself, when I considered myself truly distinct, that my writing acquired a voice.”

E ARLY C HILDHOOD Born Mexican American in Chicago, Illinois, in 1954, she grew up in poverty. Only girl in a family of seven Her family moved often, keeping Cisneros from making lasting friendships Because of this, she became introverted and shy. She began carefully observing the people and events around her and recorded her feelings through secret writings at home. Cisneros wrote about Mexican/Mexican American women who find strength to rise above the poor conditions of their lives.

E ARLY E DUCATION Cisneros did not receive good grades due to her shyness and lack of participation in class She was not comfortable sharing her writing feeling many of her teachers were not interested in her experiences. Her parents instilled the importance of education: Mexican American mother made sure the children had library cards Mexican father made sure they studied so that one day they would not have to physically work as hard as him

E DUCATION Attended Loyola University in Chicago to study English (Her father thought she’s find a good husband in college) After college, she enrolled in a poetry section of the Iowa Writer’s Workshop (graduate school for writers) Cisneros’ old fears about sharing her writing came back and she stated, “It didn’t take me long to learn […] that nobody cared to hear what I had to say and no one listened to me even when I did speak” in reference to the privileged classmates she was surrounded by.

H OUSE ON M ANGO S TREET First book ever published! The book is composed of a series of short stories told by Esperanza Cordero, a Mexican American girl growing up in a Chicago neighborhood. Esperanza wants to leave her poor environment to find a better life for herself. Readers get to know how people live their lives in her neighborhood.

M ANGO S TREET S UCCESS /C ISNEROS ’ S TRUGGLE Many junior highs through colleges have used it in their classes Although it brought success, it did not provide an easy life for Cisneros. She struggled to write and keep a job to provide for herself. After many trials and tribulations, Cisneros eventually began publishing a series of short stories and novels geared toward understanding how our upbringing affects who we are. She became the first Chicana to receive a major publishing contract for a work about Chicanas.

I NTERESTING C ONFLICT The writer was in the news in Texas after she painted her house a very brilliant purple in 1997 The dispute went on for two years until it faded to a lavender purple deeming it “historically appropriate.” Final Note: Sandra feels it is important for people of all races in America to understand the lives of Mexican Americans, and it is her duty to write about them.

W ORKS C ITED