People Person: The Story of Sociologist Marta Tienda (Women's Adventures in Science (Joseph Henry Press))

Marta Tienda sees life stories in numbers. She is a sociologist, a scientist who studies human society. Numbers are the tools she uses to uncover fascinating information about people and their behavior. As the daughter of an illegal Mexican immigrant, Marta Tienda understands the pain of growing up poor. When her family had to pick crops to earn money, Marta saw firsthand the tough conditions that migrant workers had to endure. It was an experience she would never forget. Marta vowed to use her creativity, strong spirit, and positive attitude to empower those who are less fortunate. Today Marta’s expertise is helping government leaders create equal opportunities for millions of people, using numbers to understand why some people have more than others, like a better job, a college education, or a nicer house. People Person is the fascinating story of a Mexican American girl raised in a home without books who grew up to become one of the world’s leading sociologists. Marta Tienda’s life story bursts with bravery and determinationâ€" it will surely affect readers of all ages.