1938
-Born in Los Angeles on August 2nd to Mexican immigrant parents as the middle of three siblings and the only girl

1965
-Saves money to put herself through college and receives Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish Literature from Marymount College in Palos Verdes, California

1969
-Receives Master of Arts Degree in the Spanish Literature from the Universidad de las Americas in Mexico City
-Begins to teach at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

1975
-Receives Doctoral Degree in Latin American Literature from the University of California in Los Angeles with a dissertation that focuses on the work of Mexican writer Juan Rulfo.

1980
-Is promoted to Chair of the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at Loyola Marymount University professor
-Work begins in her effort to publish and recount fictional events of history which she -first publishes thirteen years later

1986
-For 5 years participates in protest outside the Los Angeles federal building as well as La Placita in opposition to the involvement of the United States in the Civil War of El Salvador taking place at the time

1993
-Publishes In Search of Bernabé

1994
-Wins The Before Columbus Foundation American Book Award for 1993 release of book which recognizes outstanding literary achievement from the entire spectrum of America's diverse literary community
-Is Awarded the Chicano Literature Award
-Critics' Choice Award from the New York Times Book Review
-Publishes The Memories of Ana Calderón

1996

-Publishes Song of the Hummingbird

1999
-Publishes The Day of the Moon

2001
-Publishes Erased Faces

2002
-Is awarded the Gustavus Myers Book Award for her work on discrimination and bigotry as well as ways to develop equitable future communities and societies.

2004
-Retires from Loyola Marymount University after thirty-five years of teaching as Professor Emerita.

2005
-Publishes Left Alive

2007
-Teaches for the academic school year at the University of California: Santa Barbara as a Visiting Professor.

2008
-Teaches for the academic school year at the University of California: Los Angeles as a Visiting Professor.
-Is honored by California State University: Northridge in its annual Phenomenal Woman Awards ceremony for her work that has influenced and dramatically changed the lives of individuals around the world

2009
-Publishes her most recent release entitled The River Flows North