Stella Pope Duarte is a Latina award-winning author, educator and speaker. She was first inspired to begin a career as writer in 1995, after what she interpreted to be a prophetic dream of her deceased father.

Born and raised in a barrio in South Phoenix, Arizona known as the Sonorita, she is a descendant of Irish and Mexican American parents. She believes that her faith and love of family have formed the foundation for her personal and professional success.

Pope Duarte is hailed by critics as a “major, literary voice in America.” Duarte is described by author Jacquelyn Mitchard as a “magical weaver with a sure hand and a pure heart,” and by author Ursula K. Le Guin as an writer who “will enlarge humanity.”

Her work has won honors and awards nationwide, including a 2002 Book Sense 76 Selection, the 2008 Southwest Book of the Year Award, the 2009 American Book Award, the 2011 Women in American History Award, the 2014 Luis Leal Award for Distinction in Chicano/Latino Literature, and the 2017 International Latino Book Award - “Best Biography" for Raul H. Yzaguirre: Seated at the Table of Power.

Her works include Fragile Night, Let Their Spirit Dance, and If I Die in Juarez.

She lives in Phoenix.