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March 17, 2005

Author of fifties lesbian fiction to speak

Ann Weldy

Ann Weldy is the woman behind The Beebo Brinker Chronicles, a five-book series of breakthrough lesbian fiction she wrote in the 1950s under the pen-name Ann Bannon. Weldy, a former associate dean at Sacramento State, will discuss her writing in a lecture set for 4 p.m., Wednesday, April 13 in the University Library Gallery as part of National Library Week. The talk is also part of the University’s April Alumni Month activities.

Born in Chicago in the 1930s, Weldy wasn’t able to reveal her closeted talent for fiction until 1957 when as a recent Sacramento State graduate and young housewife she wrote her first novel, Odd Girl Out. It was the first book in the series that eventually became The Beebo Brinker Chronicles.

Weldy is a frequent guest of National Public Radio’s Peabody Award-winning talk show “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross. She is also featured in Gross’ recent book, All I Did Was Ask, a collection of transcripts from the show.

Weldy completed her master’s degree at Sacramento State and her doctorate in linguistics at Stanford University. She was an English professor for Sacramento State and later became the University’s associate dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and later the College of Arts and Letters. Weldy is the recipient of the Sacramento State Alumni Association’s Distinguished Faculty Award for 2005.

For more information, contact (916) 278-5154. For media assistance, contact public affairs at (916) 278-6156.

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