W. Meredith Bacon

W. Meredith Bacon is a retired political science professor[1] and LGBT-rights activist.[2] When she changed her name and transitioned to female in 2005, she retained the "W" as a first initial that was changed to stand for nothing and retained her lifelong middle name, Meredith.[1][3]

A specialist in international relations, particularly politics in Romania and Moldova,[4] Bacon taught political science at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) for 38 years. She served three nonconsecutive terms as President of the Faculty Senate, the first two before her transition and the third after her transition.[1] She was the first known transgender professor at UNO[4] and may be the first openly transgender person elected to a university faculty leadership position in the United States.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d Kelly, Michael, "A trailblazer reaches the end of one trail: Meredith née Wally Bacon retires after 38 years of inspiring students", Omaha World-Herald, May 15, 2014.
  2. ^ Morton, Joseph, "U.S. hate crimes bill hits home for Omaha advocate", Omaha World-Herald, May 17, 2009.
  3. ^ "Meet Meredith", Omaha World-Herald, July 17, 2005.
  4. ^ a b Anderson, Jacquelyn, "W. Meredith Bacon", UNO Women's Archive Project, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Department of English, 2011.