Since I was a child I've always had a special bond with animals. For many years I didn't make the connection between all the different kinds of abuse and how it was linked together until I joined PETA and Last Chance for Animals. The fur and factory farms as well as medical research facililties and puppy mills were never a thought in my mind. I never realized how much child and animal abuse was going on. I started rescuing dogs and cats in 1987 soon after my beloved dogs Smoky and Roxy were poisoned. I was angry at the media and the department of animal regulations for giving pit bulls such a bad reputation, with no protection against dog fighters and over-breeders. The other issue that bothered me was that there wasn't a single organization reaching out to the Hispanic community about animal abuse issues.
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While living in Germany in the 1980s Belinda began Gypsy Literary Magazine and Sanctuary Tape Series where she published writings and vocal performances of poets from many countries. Sanctuary ran about 6 years and Gypsy for 10 years before its resurrection in 2004. She also published many books under the VERGIN PRESS imprint including VOCES FRONTERIZAS, writings based on life on the U.S./Mexican border sponsored by the El Paso Public Library as well as THE GULF WAR: MANY PERSPECTIVES, EARTH TONES, IMAGES OF JIM MORRISON and  HENRY MILLER AND MY BIG SUR DAYS.
Belinda's own writing has grown to span a vast array of subjects, styles and publications. She has traveled in over 20 countries, lived in Europe for 6 years and was part of an East Indian family for 22 years. These cross-cultural experiences often inform her work as well as her experiences as a Registered Nurse. These days her poetry, stories, and art can be found in hundreds of journals, reviews, anthologies, books and chapbooks. Since 1994 her archives are housed at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, in the Center for Southwest Research.
Belinda balances her life as a writer and RN by painting, sculpting and political activism. She was a Texas delegate to the First National Green Party Convention in 2000, on the Texas Green Party State Executive Committee from 2001-2003 and the El Paso County Green Party Co-chair from 2000-2004. Currently she is politically independent and only works with peace groups. In short, she loves to create with her hands and her mind.
