Feminist reporter and feature writer Ann Beckmann was born in
Chicago on December 21, 1947. Prior to graduation from the University
of Wisconsin-Madison in 1972 she had experience in a wide range of
journalistic activities. These included work as feature reporter and
editor for the Edmonton (Alberta) Journal and the
Daily Cardinal; editorial assistant for Wisconsin House,
Ltd.; public relations copywriter for the Wisconsin Department of
Health and Social Services; and publication assistant for the
Industrial Relations Research Institute and the Center for Studies in
Vocational and Technical Education at the University of Wisconsin.
After graduation Beckmann joined the staff of the Capital
Times as reporter and feature writer, and although her
assignment responsibilities were broad, she became best known for her
bylined stories on women's issues. As a result she was named a charter
member of the Madison Affirmative Action Commission in 1973. Other
activities included participation in the Feminists Video Collective,
the Coalition of Labor Union Women, and the Newspaper Guild. With the
guild, Beckmann struck the Capital Times in 1977 and
worked for the Madison Press Connection while it was a
strike paper. During this period she also worked as a weekly
commentator for The Morning People on WHA and was
associate editor for Grassroots, a drug information
service. In April 1978 she moved to Milwaukee to continue her work as a
free-lance journalist.
