Author, storyteller, performer, and an academic with a knack for provoking both thought and laughter.
Born and reared in Speedway, Indiana; lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
B.A. in English from Hanover College M.A.
Ph.D. in American Culture from University of Michigan.
NDEA fellow at University of Michigan. Post-graduate
fellowships include:
National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Stipend
American Council of Learned Societies Grant-in-Aid
Junior Faculty Research Leave from Lafayette College
Minnesota Historical Society Women’s History Project Grant
Residency at Norcroft: A Writing Retreat for Women
Recipient of 1984 Minnesota Independent
Scholar of the Year Award
Books published:
THE RIVER’S IN MY BLOOD: RIVERBOAT PILOTS TELL THEIR STORIES
(U of Nebraska Press)
SAMANTHA RASTLES THE WOMAN QUESTION (U of Illinois Press)
MARIETTA HOLLEY (Twayne Publishers, US Authors Series)
Performed with the Minnesota Chautauqua circuit :
1981-84 seasons in "Samantha ‘Rastles’ the Woman Question"
1988-90 seasons in "River Ramblings" with folksinger/troubador Larry Long
1991-92 seasons as member of performing company for "The Trouble Begins at Eight:
Has toured in 48 states, Israel, and Japan
Researched, wrote script and performs nationally in five solo shows:
*Samantha "Rastles" the Woman Question
*Just Say Know: Educating Females for the 21st Century
*Nice Girls Don’t Sweat
*Miz Wizard’s Science Secrets
*Sisters of the Quill and Skillet