Role: Author

Helen Noga was born in California, the daughter of Haig and Queenie Safarjian, Armenian immigrants, and spent her childhood on the family vineyards and fruit farms in the San Joaquin Valley. It was her mother's family reminiscences that first inspired the story of Ayisha.

Helen Norsigian Rowles was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, to first generation American parents of Armenian descent. Her Armenian cultural roots shaped and influenced her childhood. \