Zora Neale Hurston :: Zora Neale Hurston

&9Zora Neale Hurston was an astounding Afro-American author who was recognise not for being the first Afro-American writer, but rather for her power to bring forth her cultural language and imagery. If not for Zoras pioneering effort as a female black writer, the world of modern literature would defecate never seen the cultural insights of the African American culture in much(prenominal) a candid way.&9Zoras date of birth is tell to be in January of 1891, however her actual date of birth is debated like a shot due to the fact that records of African Americans during the 19th century were not accurately kept (Lyons 2). Zoras home township, which was not disputed, was Eatonville, Florida, which was founded by African Americans and was the first all-black town incorporated into the United States (Cherylgeocities online ). Her father John Hurston was a tall, heavy muscled soldiery who often seemed "invincible" to Zora (Lyons 2). John was a community leader and was important member of society. His positions in Eatonville included Baptist preacher, town mayor, and skilled carpenter (Lyons 2). though John was a revered member of Eatonville he had is faults as well. His affection for other women often left his family home alone for months out of a time (Lyons 1). Zoras mother, Lucy Potts Hurston was the "hard-driving force in the family."(Lyons 2) Lucy was a country schoolteacher, who taught all her children how to drive and write, which lead to half dozen out of her seven children earning a college degree (Lyons 2-3). Unfortunately, Lucy Hurston died when Zora was guild years of age (Otfinoski 46). Zora was the seventh child out of a family of ogdoad (Otfinoski 45). During her childhood she felt unloved by her father and thus was seen as the odd on out (Lyons 2). &9Zoras learning was comprised of six years of grammar school, noble school, and several prestigious colleges. Zora attended grammar school in Eatonville, Florida at H ungerford check around 1907 (Lyons 3). The summer of 1917 Zora began the next step of her education by attending Morgan Academy in Baltimore, Maryland. By 1918 when she had finished her high school requirements, Zora had attended multiple schools, in order to gain the outdo education as an African American female. 1918-1919 Zora attended Howard Prep School in Washington D.C. In 1920 she bring in her associates degree and in 1924 earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology at Howard University (Lyons 24-6).