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Born in 1939, Toni Cade Bambara made her mark in literature with work that emphasized her passion for social justice. Born Miltona Mirkin Cade, Bambara spent her formative years living in Harlem and various other neighborhoods in New York and New Jersey. She graduated from Queens College in 1959 with a BA in theater arts and English literature. The same year, she published her first short story, "Sweet Town," in a magazine. She earned a living by teaching English, publishing short stories, and working in a series of positions that allowed her to help underserved populations. Bambara sought opportunities that allowed her to talk about social issues in Black communities. She was employed as a social worker and volunteered to lead community projects. She also spent some time studying in Europe before returning to New York to finish her master's degree in the 1960s. She eventually adopted the last name Bambara when she saw the name written in one of her grandmother's books. Bambara wrote her own stories and novels, and also garnered attention for other Black writers by editing anthologies of their works. She continued to travel, write, teach, and speak out for the disenfranchised until her death in 1995.

Next section Historical & Literary Context: The Black Arts Movement

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