Date of Birth: October 29, 1880
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Date of Death: November 21, 1970
Biography
Anzia Yezierska was a prominent Jewish-American novelist born in the late 19th century. She is best known for her works that vividly depict the lives of Jewish immigrants in New York City during the early 20th century. Her writings often explore themes of poverty, the struggle for identity, and the pursuit of the American Dream. Yezierska’s literary career began to flourish in the 1920s, with several of her short stories and novels receiving critical acclaim. Her most notable works include “Bread Givers,” “Salome of the Tenements,” and “Hungry Hearts.” Through her deeply personal and often semi-autobiographical stories, Yezierska gave voice to the experiences of immigrant women and highlighted the cultural and social challenges they faced. She passed away on November 21, 1970, leaving behind a lasting legacy in American literature.
5 Interesting Facts about Anzia Yezierska
1. Anzia Yezierska was born in Maly Plock, Poland, and immigrated to the United States with her family around 1890.
2. She worked in various menial jobs, including as a seamstress and a laundress, before pursuing a career in writing.
3. Yezierska attended Columbia University, where she studied under renowned philosopher John Dewey, who became her mentor and close friend.
4. Her novel “Bread Givers” is considered a classic in Jewish-American literature and is often included in college curricula.
5. In the 1920s, several of her stories were adapted into films, bringing her greater recognition and financial success.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Anzia Yezierska
1. “I was a nothing, a nobody. I was only a shadow trying to be something.”
2. “Poverty was an ornament on a learned man like a red ribbon on a white horse.”
3. “All I could be was a wife. All I could be was a mother. All I could be was a servant.”
4. “A heart soaked in tears, a heart of stone, a heart as cold as the ice that never melts.”
5. “I want to make a life that is full, rich, and strong.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Yezierska’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but it is known that she experienced financial success in the 1920s due to the popularity of her works and their film adaptations.
Children
Anzia Yezierska had one daughter, Louise Levitas Henriksen, who also pursued a career in writing.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia – Anzia Yezierska](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anzia_Yezierska
2. [Biography by Jewish Women’s Archive](https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/yezierska-anzia
3. [Goodreads Author Profile](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/53040.Anzia_Yezierska
4. [Literary Encyclopedia Entry](https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=1530