Roseanne Giannini Quinn was born in San Francisco and has spent most of her life in Northern California. She has an M.A. from the University of Sussex and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. Since 1986, she has taught a variety of courses in English composition and literature, women's studies and diversity, contemporary ethnic writers of the United States, feminist activism, as well as popular culture. She has taught at several different campuses including the University of Iowa, Stanford University, Hayward State, De Anza College, San José City College, and Saint Mary's College of California. Currently, she is a Lecturer in the English department and Ethnic Studies program at Santa Clara University.