Carmen Tafolla

Carmen Tafolla is a poet, author, teacher, educational consultant, and sought-after speaker and performer. A native of the West-Side barrios of San Antonio, Texas, Tafolla earned a BA, MA, a PhD from the University of Texas, Austin. In 1973, she became Director of the Mexican-American Studies Center at Texas Lutheran College where she initiated, among other projects, the El Premio Roberto Salinas Award to recognize students who have worked to promote human understanding and cultural harmony.

 The recipient of many honors, she is the current inaugural poet laureate of San Antonio.
 
Tafolla has published five books of poetry, eight children’s picture books, seven television screenplays, one non-fiction volume, and a collection of short stories. She also co-authored with filmographer Sylvia Morales a feature-length film comedy entitled REAL MEN... and other miracles. Her works are archived at the University of Texas Benson Latin American Collection.
 
Tafolla has held numerous faculty and administrative positions at universities throughout the Southwest. In 1999, the President’s Peace Commission of St. Mary’s University selected Tafolla for its Art of Peace Award for writing which promotes peace, justice and human understanding.