Dr.Gayle Wald

Gayle Wald writes and teaches about American culture, with an emphasis on popular music and popular culture, African American culture, and feminism and women in culture. She is the author of four books, including a biography of the rock-and-roll trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe and, more recently, a biography of Ella Jenkins, the "First Lady of Children's Music." She has published widely on topic ranging from Riot Grrrl music to boy bands, and from Bob Dylan to the television show "Empire." She is the receipient of three NEH Fellowships as well as a Guggenheim Fellowship. At GW, she teaches courses on American cultural history, cultural theory, U.S. popular music, and other topics.