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JoAnn Levy has been writing about western history for nearly twenty years. She is the author of four books on California history and numerous articles in such publications as American History, The Californians, Old West, Overland Journal, and the Museum of California Quarterly. Her book about women in the gold rush was published in 1990 to high praise. The San Francisco Chronicle acclaimed it "one of the best and most comprehensive accounts of gold rush life to date."
| "She is an outstanding researcher, a very good writer, a very credible historian and a real expert on her subject." - Gary Kurutz, Principal Librarian, California State Library |
Levy is a frequent public speaker on behalf of the gold-rushing women she discovered during nearly eight years of research. On January 24, 1998, she spoke at California's official gold-discovery sesquicentennial opening ceremonies at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.
| "Wonderful presentation" - Joann Helmich, California State Parks |
She has also addressed such organizations as the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Autry Museum of Western Heritage; California State Railroad Museum; Great Valley Museum; San Francisco Historical Society; Columbia State Historic Park; Oregon-California Trails Assn.; Chico Rotary; California Writers Club; Fort Point State Park; California State Library Foundation; California Historical Society; History Museums of San Jose; McHenry Museum; Colorado State Historical Society; Los Altos Morning Forum, and many other historical societies and civic organizations.
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"A very talented and engaging speaker...our audience was thrilled." - Robyn Jacobs, Public Programs, Colorado Historical Society
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JoAnn Levy has appeared twice at the National Archives in Washington, DC, in honor of Women's History Month and California's statehood sesquicentennial. She was also honored to present the Society of California Pioneers' annual Albert Shumate Lecture, and to speak at Villa Montalvo's star-studded Literary Arts Series.
| "JoAnn Levy brings the gold rush to life....I could have sworn [she] turned into a miner from Arkansas before my eyes!" - Ralph Lewin, California Council for the Humanities |
Levy has been featured in several TV documentaries on PBS, A&E, TLC, and KNBC-TV. She also was profiled in the Sacramento Bee, the Stockton Review-Journal, Sacramento Magazine, the Auburn Sentinel, and the Mountain Democrat. Radio appearances include NPR’s "Science Friday," "Airtalk," and "Beyond Words."
| "An excellent lecture...had us all spellbound." - Wayne Breece, Education Coordinator, California State Railroad Museum |
For speaking engagement information, please email JoAnn directly.
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JoAnn received the
1999 WILLA Award
for
Best Historical Fiction
for her book
Daughter of Joy
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