Tanya Pearson is an Oral Historian and founder of the Women of Rock Oral History Project, a collection of digital interviews and written transcripts documenting the lives and careers of (women-identified) rock musicians. Her first book, Why Marianne Faithfull Matters, was published in July 2021 by University of Texas Press. Her second book, Pretend We’re Dead: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Women in Rock in the 90s, will be published by Hachette Books/ Grand Central in January 2025. Her “work” has appeared in The Washington Post, Bust Magazine, Memoir Mixtapes, PopMatters, and some blogs, and journals. She is currently represented by Elias Altman at Massie, McQuilken & Altman Literary Agency. Tanya is a staunch proponent of lesbiansim, aging, not eating animals, senior dog adoption, punk rock, and Judy Garland. An Assistant Lecturer in Women’s Gender, and African American Studies at Ball State University, she currently resides in Muncie, IN.
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I am running for Indiana State Senate, District 26, as an Independent. I returned to school at 28 and received a BA in American Studies, my MA in U.S. History and my Ph.D. in Modern U.S. History. I am a poorly paid, non-tenure line professor by day, and an activist and organizer in my spare time. In my late teens and early 20s, I suffered from substance abuse and occasional homelessness, finally getting clean and sober at 26. My past experiences with poverty, addiction, recovery, debt, and financial insecurity have certainly influenced my decision to run for senate. I live on the South Side of Muncie and bear witness to the lack of services, jobs, adequate schooling, and crumbling infrastructure on a daily basis.I believe that all Muncie residents are deserving of healthcare, housing, food, education, and dignity.
In solidarity,
Tanya