BIOGRAPHY
Esmeralda Santiago, born May 17th, 1948 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. At age thirteen Santiago migrated to Brooklyn, New York with her mother and younger siblings in search for a better life. Being the eldest of eleven siblings and the best with the english language, Santiago's mother looked to her for help. After working hard she was accepted into New York City's Performing Arts High School. Upon graduation Santiago worked part-time while attending community college until got accepted and transferred to Harvard University. Santiago "graduated magna cum laude in 1976" (Iyer, "Esmeralda Santiago). Later, "she earned her master’s degree at Sarah Lawrence College and was awarded honorary doctorates from Trinity University and Pace University" (Iyer, "Esmeralda Santiago). "In 1977, she and her husband, Frank Cantor, founded CANTOMEDIA, a film and media production company, which has won numerous awards for excellence in documentary filmmaking" ("Esmeralda Santiago").
Santiago started her writing career with her articles being published in newspapers like The New York Times. From there she had her first book published in 1993, When I Was Puerto Rican. This book is an autobiography that is the first of three installments, the second being Almost Woman and the third, The Turkish Lover. "Her second memoir, Almost a Woman, received numerous “Best of Year” mentions, in addition to an Alex Award from the American Library Association" ("Esmeralda Santiago"). Along with this notable works, Santiago has other works that she is recognized for like Casi uno mujer.
Santiago is also recognized for her activism within the community. As a "spokesperson on behalf of public libraries. She has designed and developed community-based programs for adolescents, and was one of the founders of a shelter for battered women and their children. She serves on the boards of organizations devoted to the arts and to literature, and speaks vehemently about the need to encourage and support the artistic development of young people" ("Esmeralda Santiago").