Listen to our conversation with author Lorinda Martinez, getting to know her and her new book Running with Changing Woman (2023) that she wrote especially for young adults. Lorinda works with youth as an educator, and Running with Changing Woman is her first novel that tells the coming-of-age story of a Diné young woman named Samantha who prepares for the Diné womanhood ceremony, Kinaaldá. We discuss the significance of Diné girls and women and Lorinda's contributions to Native American children and youth literature, which is a gift for all readers. Lorinda is Lók’aa’ Dine’é (the Reed People Clan) born for Táchii’nii (Red Running into the Water Clan). The Tábąąhí (Water’s Edge Clan) are her maternal grandfathers and the Tódích’íí’nii (Bitter Water Clan) are her paternal grandfathers. She lives in the four corners area with her husband, son, and dogs. She was raised in the Navajo Nation areas of Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico and Shonto, Arizona. She attended Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico where she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education.

Learn more about Lorinda and her new book through the following links:

Author Lorinda Martinez

19 July 2023 Running with Changing Woman Reading (YouTube recording) with author Lorinda Martinez

Alexandra Wittenberg, “'Running with Changing Woman' explores kinaaldá and the important role of young Navajo women," Navajo-Hopi Observer, October 3, 2023.

You can order Running with Changing Woman through Salina Bookshelf, Inc.: https://salinabookshelf.com/product/runningwithchangingwomanhardcover/

Lorinda Martinez and "Running with Changing Woman"