Ruth Crowley and Esther "Eppie" Pauline Friedman Lederer (July 4, 1918 - June 22, 2002) were the main writers behind the pseudonymous syndicated advice column Ask Ann Landers. For about 45 years, the column was a regular feature in many newspapers across North America, beginning with the Chicago Sun-Herald. People would write her letters to seek her advice concerning their personal problems, and she would publish her advice in her columns. Her wr...
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Ruth Crowley and Esther "Eppie" Pauline Friedman Lederer (July 4, 1918 - June 22, 2002) were the main writers behind the pseudonymous syndicated advice column Ask Ann Landers. For about 45 years, the column was a regular feature in many newspapers across North America, beginning with the Chicago Sun-Herald. People would write her letters to seek her advice concerning their personal problems, and she would publish her advice in her columns. Her writing style was direct, and often critical. She would often upbraid a letter-writer with the quip, "Watch it, bub!"
Lederer had an identical twin sister, Pauline Esther Friedman Phillips ("Popo"), who was 17 minutes younger than Eppie. The twins were daughters of Russian Jewish emigrants Abraham B Friedman and Rebecca (Rushall) Friedman, and grew up in Sioux City, Iowa. Both sisters attended Morningside College in 1936-9, and both wrote for the college's newspaper. In later years, while Lederer wrote the "Ann Landers" column, her twin sister...
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