Trivia

She was paralytically shy her entire life.

In 1995, she became the first science-fiction writer to be awarded the MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant, which paid her US$295,000 over a 5-year period. The award is given annually to people who challenge and expand the boundaries of their chosen fields.

Was the first African American woman to gain popularity and critical acclaim as a major science-fiction writer, championed by and protégée of Harlan Ellison.

She began writing at age 10. In 1970, she attended a fantasy writer's workshop in East Lansing, Michigan.

Daughter of Laurice and Octavia M. "Guy" Butler, she was the only child of five pregnancies that her mother was able to carry to full term.

Received an Associate of Arts degree in 1968 from Pasadena City College. She then attended California State University, Los Angeles, and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Buried at the beautiful Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, which is in the area of Pasadena, California. This older and historic cemetery is located at 2400 North Fairoaks.

She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority