About the Author

Gloria L. Velásquez is an internationally acclaimed author who holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University in Latin American and Chicano Literatures. Velásquez is the author of two collections of poetry, I Used to Be a Superwoman (1994) and Xicana on the Run (2005). She is the creator of the popular Roosevelt High School Series: Juanita Fights the School Board (1994), Maya’s Divided World (1995), Tommy Stands Alone (1995), Rina’s Family Secret (1998), Ankiza (2000), Teen Angel (2003), Tyrone’s Betrayal (2006), and Rudy's Memory Walk (2009). Ankiza was recently released in a brand new French edition entitled J’aime qui je veux (Pocket Jeunesse 2003). Velásquez’s poetry and fiction have appeared in journals and anthologies throughout the U.S. as well as in Europe.

Gloria Velasquez playing guitar

Gloria Velásquez has received many honors for her writings and achievements. She was featured for Hispanic Heritage Month on KTLA, Channel 5, Los Angeles. Velásquez has been included in numerous literary biographies such as Who’s Who Among Hispanic Americans; Something about the Author and Contemporary Authors. In 2001, Velásquez was honored by the Texas House of Representatives for her outstanding contributions to literature. The 2003 anthology Latina and Latino Voices in Literature for Teenagers and Children devotes a chapter to Velásquez’s life and development as a writer. In 2004, Velásquez was featured in “100 History Making Ethnic Women,” by Sherry York (Linworth Publishing). Velásquez’s song, “Son in Vietnam,” appeared in the 2003 PBS Documentary, Soldados: Chicanos in Vietnam. Velásquez is also featured in the 2006 PBS Documentary, La Raza de Colorado. In 1989, Velásquez became the first Chicana to be inducted in the University of Northern Colorado’s Hall of Fame. Stanford University recently honored Velásquez with “The Gloria Velásquez Papers,” archiving her life as a writer and humanitarian.

Gloria Velásquez is a professor in the Modern Languages and Literatures Department at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California. Velásquez is currently touring throughout the United States performing songs and poetry from her SUPERWOMAN CHICANA CD as well as mentoring youth with her Roosevelt High School Series of young adult books.