Anzaldúa, Gloria E. (1942–2004)

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Anzaldúa, Gloria E. (1942–2004)

Mexican-American poet and fiction writer. Name variations: Gloria E. Anzaldua. Born Glora Evangelina Anzaldúa, Sept 26, 1942, in the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas; died of complications from diabetes, May 16, 2004, in California; dau. of Urbano and Amalia Anzaldúa (both Mexican immigrants); Pan American University, BA; University of Texas at Austin, MA; had nearly completed doctorate at University of California in Santa Cruz, 2004.

Chicana feminist and lesbian, whose work calls attention to conditions of those living on borders of society, especially mestiza and gay women; is best known for Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza (1987), a hybrid collection of poetry and prose; other works include This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color (1981), Making Face, Making Soul—Haciendo Caras (1990), and the children's book, Friends from the Other Side—Amigos del Otro Lado (1993). Won NEA Fiction Award, Lesbian Rights Award (1991) and Sappho Award of Distinction (1992).