Unsung Heroes: Lesser-Known African American Women Authors - Ann Petry

Ann Petry (October 12, 1908 - April 28, 1997)

Ann Petry, the first African American woman to sell over a million copies of her novel, is best known for her debut work, The Street (1946). Set in Harlem, the novel explores the harsh realities of urban life and the struggles of a single mother trying to provide for her son. Petry's poignant narrative and vivid characterizations make her a significant yet often overlooked figure in American literature.

Sources:

• Petry, A. (1946). The Street. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

• Pettis, J. D. (1997). Ann Petry. Twayne Publishers.

• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ann-Petry

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