[2] She began writing poetry at the age of 7 or 8, in part because of her frequent long stays at home due to reoccurring strep throat infections.
She later studied with Elliott Coleman at the Johns Hopkins University Writing Seminars, where she received an M.A.
After that, she began teaching at American University, and taught there from 1970 to 2007, except for a four-year stint, from 1987 to 1991, where she served as president of the Yaddo artist community.
[3] After her retirement in 2007, Sklarew was emerita professor of literature in the writing program at American University.
Sklarew died due to complications from Crohn’s disease on December 30, 2024, at the age of 89.