Speaking Out With Louann Fernald

Environmentalist and Twitter enthusiast Louann Fernald weighs in on activism, her career as an attorney, and how becoming the June 1979 Playmate opened up her world.

I was born in San Antonio, Texas and raised in Cocoa Beach, Florida, where I had an idyllic upbringing. My mother retired early from nursing to be a full-time mom, and my father was a rocket scientist. I mean literally—he was in charge of testing guided systems for missiles at Cape Kennedy. I was really nerdy growing up: I was a Girl Scout, I was shy, I wore glasses from the age of seven. My parents, who always encouraged me to rise above expectations, gave me sports equipment, musical instruments and books instead of dolls.

I loved being active and learning, but as I grew up, I chafed against my parents’ rules. I began to rebel when I was 16, buying contact lenses and a string bikini. Still, when I turned 17 and went off to the University of Florida, I chose pre-med as my major to impress my father. But my grades started to sink, so I switched to journalism and public relations. Away from my parents, I felt I could finally live my life on my terms. I moved in with my boyfriend’s family and began waitressing my way through college.

The tips were terrible and the hours long, so when Playboy came to Gainesville for the 25th Anniversary Great Playmate Hunt, I was curious. I went to the audition, a photographer took a couple of Polaroids of me in my bathing suit by the swimming pool, and that was it. Three weeks later, Playboy called and offered to fly me to Chicago for a photo shoot. I thought, Why not? Next thing I knew, I was the June 1979 Playmate of the Month… read more >