Ruth Behar

About the Author

Ruth Behar is a renowned anthropologist, writer, and professor whose work bridges the personal and the political, drawing from her Cuban-Jewish heritage and experiences as an immigrant in the United States. Born in Havana and raised in New York City, Behar's narratives often explore themes of displacement, identity, and cultural memory with profound empathy and insight. Her acclaimed memoir Translated Woman: Crossing the Border with Esperanza's Story delves into the life of a Mexican street vendor, blending ethnography with intimate storytelling to challenge borders of class and gender. In her award-winning young adult novel Lucky Broken Girl, she captures the joys and heartaches of childhood immigration through the eyes of a young girl navigating a life-altering accident. Behar's writing has earned her prestigious honors, including the Pura Belpré Award, and continues to inspire readers to reflect on the human stories behind global migrations.