Maria Amparo Ruiz de Burton is known as one of the earliest Mexican-American authors published in English, and her life story is tied closely to the Mexican-American war and the establishment of California as a state.
Research:

Elizabeth Bisland, Beyond the Trip Around the World
42:54

SYMHC Classics: Marie Laurencin
32:46

Behind the Scenes Minis: Censorship Cats
26:59