Curiosidades

Adopted her Swahili first name later in life.

On May 25, 1985 Holland graduated with a doctorate in American studies.

The family home with Holland's mother who used a wheelchair trapped inside was firebombed. She always believed it was the Ku Klux Klan. After her mother's funeral a heartsick Holland left the South. She drew upon experiences there to write a Pulitzer Prize nominated play "From the Mississippi Delta".

Had been a prostitute until the civil rights movement came to town and transformed her into a foot soldier. She registered black people to vote, marched for equality, went to jail 13 times and earned the fury of some of the town's white residents.

Has one son