Biography
Dorothy West was Born in Boston in 1908. When she was a teenager she moved to Harlem, New York. While in New York she joined a group of writers. Her talent was clear when it won her second place in a national contest for her first book Typewriter. She immediately gained the approval of her peers. In 1932 West decided to take a part in a film which required her to go to Russia. This film was produced by the Communist Party concerning the issue of racial discrimination in the United States. The project was stopped by a white American who refused to allow others to see the negativity of America that the film demonstrated.
"Then, in 1926, she joined a group of writers, of which she was the youngest. Her talent, vivacious personality, and confidence in her ability to write made her a valuable member of this group, known as the New Negro movement, which became a driving force in establishing what is known as the Harlem Renaissance. Her first story, "The Typewriter," won her second place in a national contest sponsored by the Urban League's Opportunity magazine, and the approval of her peers. In 1932, West traveled to Russia to take part in a film, produced by the Communist Party concerning the issue of racial discrimination in the United States. The project was soon derailed by a white American who refused to allow America to be portrayed this negatively." (all/any quotes see link Biography)
When she returned to the states she found that the period of time, known as the depression, had had it's effects on her fellow writers. She, however, was determined to dragged down. Aware of the fact that writers like her were looking for work, she created the "Challenge," a journal which was made for the soul purpose of creative writing issues of social and political activism.
"The Depression continued and worsened, and with that, West's career took another turn. She became a welfare relief social investigator and also got involved in the Works Progress Administration Writer's Project. In 1940, she took a job writing short stories for the New York Daily News. By 1943, West had moved to Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard. Her first book, The Living Is Easy, was published in 1948, receiving a fair amount of praise. After her first book came out, West faded into oblivion. After many years, she became closely acquainted with a successful editor for Doubleday who owned a summer home nearby. The publisher's name was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Onassis read short pieces in the Vineyard Gazette and began visiting her weekly. It was through Onassis' encouragement that West wrote her second novel, The Wedding. She published this book at the age of 85. Shortly thereafter, West put together a compilation of short stories, entitled The Richer, The Poorer: Stories, Sketches, And Reminiscences. "
