By Kathleen McDonnell

Octavia Butler was a highly celebrated and influential writer in the genre of science fiction, known for thought-provoking works that explored themes of race, gender, power, and ecological destruction. As an African American woman in a predominantly white and male genre, she brought new perspectives to the forefront.

Butler was born in Pasadena and grew up in predominately Black neighborhoods in Pasadena and Altadena. She faced discrimination and bullying both at school and in society at large. As an introverted and dyslexic child, she found solace in creating her own stories. Her passion for writing began at a young age, and she often sought refuge in the local library, where she consumed science fiction and fantasy novels.

After graduating from John Muir High School she attended Pasadena City College, where she studied various subjects, including psychology, astronomy, and creative writing. To make money she worked with her mother, a house cleaner, and dedicated her evenings and weekends to writing.

In  the 1970s enough money was coming in from her short stories that she was able to write full time. In1976, Butler published her first novel, Patternmaster, which marked the beginning of her highly acclaimed Patternist series. However, it was her 1979 novel, Kindred, a groundbreaking exploration of racial dynamics and time travel, that established her reputation as a talented writer.