Zora Neale Hurston's works were heavily influenced by the social challenges she faced, particularly as a black woman in America. Growing up in a segregated society, she experienced firsthand the complexities of race and gender. Hurston's anthropological background allowed her to authentically portray African American culture, using dialect and folklore in her writing. Her struggles to gain recognition during the Harlem Renaissance also fueled her fierce independence and commitment to showcasing black identity. The inequalities she confronted motivated her to write boldly, producing works like "Their Eyes Were Watching God," which celebrated black femininity and resilience.