Joy Ladin holds the Gottesman Chair in English at Yeshiva University, and, in 2007, became the first (and still only) openly transgender employee of an Orthodox Jewish institution. She is the author of 11 books, including a memoir, a book of theology, and 9 poetry collections. She is a nationally recognized writer and speaker on issues of transgender identity and religion. She has a bachelor of arts from Sarah Lawrence College, a master of fine arts from the University of Massachusetts, and a doctor of philosophy from Princeton.