Ann Lander

Ann Landers (1918–2002) was one of America's most beloved and influential advice columnists. Born Esther Pauline "Eppie" Friedman in Sioux City, Iowa, she assumed the pen name Ann Landers in 1955 when she took over the advice column at the Chicago Sun-Times. Her nationally syndicated column eventually appeared in more than 1,200 newspapers worldwide, reaching an estimated 90 million readers daily and featuring her signature catchphrase, "Wake up and smell the coffee."

For nearly five decades, Landers offered candid, common-sense advice on marriage, parenting, health, sexuality, and social issues. She was unafraid to tackle controversial subjects such as AIDS, mental illness, and drug abuse, helping to bring them into mainstream conversation. Notably, her identical twin sister also became a famous advice columnist, writing the rival "Dear Abby" column under the pen name Abigail Van Buren.

Among her major published works are "Since You Ask Me" (1956), "Ann Landers Talks to Teenagers About Sex" (1963), the comprehensive "The Ann Landers Encyclopedia, A to Z: Improve Your Life, Emotionally, Medically, and Sexually" (1978), and the collection "Wake Up and Smell the Coffee!" (2000). Landers received numerous honors throughout her career and remains an enduring symbol of empathetic, practical American journalism.