She was born in
Kyiv and her family emigrated to the United States, when she was eight and lived in New York. Like many immigrants, she worked in a clothing factory during the day, but was able to attend night high school. She was an outstanding student and won a scholarship to
Valparaiso University; she later transferred to the
University of Wisconsin–Madison, receiving a degree in library science. She met her husband, the prize-winning poet
Horace Gregory there; they married in 1925.
Poetry Magazine, ==Awards==