Family portrait of Manuela, husband Michael, and daughter Ramona, in Oaxaca. (Painting by Ann Allen)
- I was born and raised in Los Angeles to a German mother and Mexican father who both came to the U.S. for better lives. I am proud mother to the Berlin-based visual artist Ramona Gomez.
- I am a founding board member of Furry Tails of Oaxaca, a nonprofit that supports the people, groups and organizations in Oaxaca, Mexico, working to reduce the population of street animals and improving the well-being of our four-legged friends.
- I am a member of Maconda, a homeland for socially-engaged writers working to advance creativity, foster generosity, and serve community. Below are three book I've written:
As fate brings Parker and Pomona together under the magic of a palm tree, new love takes them through Southern California landscapes past and present - from the historic Huntington Gardens to the destroyed Mexican neighborhood of Chavez Ravine. When the lovers finally arrive at the South Central Farm, these two broken souls are swept into a movement attempting to save the fertile land from development.
Power of One: Pasadenans Shaping Our Community: This photo-essay book highlights 31 community activists. (Inspiring Minds 2003).
The Wild Chihuahuas of Mexico: This daring adventure gives readers of all ages a view into the plucky spirit and tenacity of the mighty Chihuahua and reveals how these little dogs helped Pancho Villa and the Mexican people triumph during the Mexican Revolution (Tampico Press Books 2014)
