One of Us: Zoe Strauss
I am a … lesbian feminist.
I was born in … Pennsylvania Hospital on Pine Street.
I’ve lived in Philadelphia for … 38 years.
The thing I like most about myself is … my optimism.
One thing I’d change about myself is … my lack of organization.
My greatest extravagance is … sushi.
The place I’d most like to live someday is … South Philadelphia, just in a bigger rowhome.
My real-life hero is … Emma Goldman.
The best thing I own is … my studio on Cantrell Street, although the bank really owns that.
Garces or Vetri? … I’m certain they’re both excellent, but this is a question for someone who makes a lot more money than I do.
The ugliest thing I’ve ever photographed is … a child’s drawing of group sex.
The best photograph I’ve ever taken … is still waiting to happen.
One thing this city doesn’t have that it really needs is … the right for lesbians and gay men to be legally married.
I wish this city had fewer … overhead wires.
The best place to vacation is … Brigantine, New Jersey, although Palm Springs, California, is up there.
If I could have any other job, I’d be … independently wealthy.
The best books I’ve ever read are … Dune by Frank Herbert (and I am totally not ashamed of loving science fiction, even though my lady rolled her eyes when I read her this answer) and Trash and Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison.
The best thing on TV is … Mad Men.
My favorite place to shop is … Xenos on Chestnut Street.
One of the skills I most wish I had is … being fluent in a number of languages.
My greatest achievements are … I-95, locking down the greatest wife ever, and reading the Lord of the Rings trilogy aloud to Alex and Brian Mechanick.
I always take my guests to … Marra’s.
I’m just so sick of … people acting like assholes.
I found the love of my life … at the old West Coast Video on Locust Street.
Philadelphians need to … sweep up outside more and stop with the fucking littering already.
I actually think … Philadelphia accents are beautiful. Right now, I’d be so happy if I heard someone with a Philadelphia accent saying, “Go get a coconut doughnut and a glass of water.”
