Many writers are influenced by the lives they live and the world around them, and Miltona Mirkin Cade is no different. Miltona Mirkin Cade was influenced by the black community and women's organizations. (www.fembio.org)Milton Mirkin Cade was born on March 25, 1939 in New York. As a child, she spent most of her years with her mother, Helen Brent Henderson, and her brother Walter. She and her family moved often, but she came to settle in the communities of New York and New Jersey. (www.answers.com) Miltona Mirkin Cade would later change her name to Toni Cade Bambara. The reason why she changed her name? In addition to the reason why many writers usually change their birth name, Bambara adopted the name after looking through his great-grandmother's sketchbook, which had Bambara's name engraved on it. (www.novelguide.com)She was an intelligent young woman, she graduated from high school six months early, and she had a bright future ahead of her. After finishing high school, she attended Queens College and received her bachelor's degree in theater arts and English. It was there that his writing career truly began; while she was in college, she published her first short story, "Sweet Town." Bambara then made some trips, in 1962 she returned to complete a master's degree in modern American fiction at New York City College. (www.fembio.com) (www.answers.com)A woman of many talents, Miltona Cade was an editor, teacher, writer, cultural and community worker, activist, feminist and filmmaker. Toni Bambara's many professions and talents have influenced her writing. While teaching at a city college in 1965, she directed the “Theater of the Black Experience,” as well as many other projects. While doing all this, she also managed... middle of paper ...... Book summaries, free book notes, etc. Internet. March 2, 2011. "Toni Cade Bambara | Biographies." Frauen-BiographieForschung | Femboio.org. Internet. February 28, 2011. “Toni Cade Bambara.” AALBC.com The #1 site for African American literature - author profiles, book reviews, interviews and more. Internet. February 28, 2011. "Toni Cade Bambara: Answers.com Biography." Answers.com: Wiki Q&A combined with free online dictionary, thesaurus, and encyclopedias. Internet. February 28, 2011. “Free Essay: Critical Analysis of “The Lesson”” Eheat – Free Essays, Free Dissertations, Custom Essays. Internet. February 28. 2011. .