Julia Alvarez is a Dominican-American author known for her novels, poetry, and essays. Born on March 27, 1950, in New York City, she spent her early years in the Dominican Republic before returning to the United States. Her works often explore themes of identity, culture, and the immigrant experience, reflecting her own background. Some of her most notable works include How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents and In the Time of the Butterflies. Alvarez has received numerous awards for her writing, including the PEN/Oakland Josephine Miles Award and the Feminist Press's Women of Achievement Award.