TO ME, Spanish is like a violin—clear and melodic. English is deeper, like a cello. My voice on the page comes from speaking Spanish and English. The punch-you-in-the-nose English is from my mom, the tender Spanish my father.

I found that voice when I began writing from a place of love. I wrote stories and poems that took me to my family and the things I saw in my community. I had never seen my home reproduced in a film, photograph or literature with love. So, I said, "Why don’t I write that story?"

Sandra Cisneros’ portrait is at the Smithsonian. It will be used to tell her story and other women’s stories of putting pen to paper to transform our national narrative.