Courageous LGBTQ+ stories with practical tips for allies and parents.
The 3 C’s: Courage, Confidence, and Collaboration come to life in this empowering event featuring a robust book reading, inspirational talk, and an uplifting display of authenticity and resilience. With the mantra “love always wins” (and tattooed proof to match!), Joanie Lindenmeyer shares ways to speak loud and proud in support of diversity, inclusion, and equity, especially in response to harmful narratives from religious or political institutions.
Author of Nun Better: An Amazing Love Story (2023), Joyously Free! (2024), and Healing Religious Hurts (2024), Joanie brings decades of lived experience and advocacy to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
This engaging session will include readings from her three books, a Q&A, and a mix of humor, sincerity, and deeply relatable storytelling. Attendees will leave inspired and equipped with practical ways to live their truth—and help others do the same.
Author Bio:
Joanie Lindenmeyer is a former Catholic nun and retired teacher and coach who enjoys playing and watching sports, traveling, fishing, gardening, playing guitar, listening to music, hiking and walking, baking treats and hanging out with family and friends.
Filled with joy and hope, she believes Jesus is her best friend. In 1982, she met Carol Tierheimer and they married on August 5, 2020. Raised in San Diego, California, she taught Physical Education and Health in public high school for 25 years, after teaching Religion and P.E. for four years in Catholic elementary schools. She coached boys and girls sports teams for 20 years.
Joanie worked at two nonprofits and a county Department of Health in areas of community health, addictions, teen pregnancy, sexuality, child abuse prevention, HIV/ AIDS prevention, STI testing and counseling, and wellness.
A San Diego State University graduate, she was a member of the university volleyball team and has a California teaching credential. She was a Catholic Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, ministering in many ways.
Her dedication shines to people of all ages, making their lives brighter, happier and healthier. She was committed to her one and only lifetime lover and spouse of 40 years and is a recent widow.
Joanie and Carol Tierheimer began writing Nun Better: An AMAZING Love Story together in the Brookings, Oregon home they shared for 31 years.
Questions? Contact beccar@dpls.lib.or.us
AGE GROUP: | Adult |
EVENT TYPE: | Write Here | Adult Program |
The two-story, 38,855-square-foot library opened in 1998 and features exposed beams and high ceilings, complemented with eastward-facing windows, looking over Bend’s civic square.
