Throwback Thursday on Boricuas Distinguidos 2.0 where we remember "Maria from Sesame Street" Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx. When Sonia Manzano retired, she left behind a legacy that in large part began in 1971. That was the year when she was cast in Sesame Street after the show decided its young viewers could use more Latino role models in television. Manzano quickly became the character “Maria,” writing for Sesame Street and often helping to bringing Nuyorican talent to wide