Ann Seltman Smart was a true pioneer in the radio industry. She was one of the first female radio personalities in Raleigh during the 1950s. Her commercials, call-in shows, and “woman-on-the-street” interviews were the talk of the town between the mid-1940’s and 1961.

Ann Seltman grew up in Raleigh on Halifax Street where the Legislative Building now stands. By the age of six, she was destined for Raleigh’s version of stardom when “Smilin’ Ed” McConnell singled her out to perform on WPTF.

In 1944, she became Phil Ellis’s co-star and conducted both live and taped “woman-on-the-street” weekly inter­views in front of the courthouse in downtown Raleigh. As the “Zesta Girl” (named for the show’s sponsor), Ann and Phil entertained Raleigh and gave away boxes and boxes of crackers. Off-air, Ann was secretary to Graham Poyner, who was then Vice President and General Manager of WPTF.

By 1949, Ann was a WPTF Music Librarian, Traffic Manager, and the voice of many of the station’s in-house com­mercials. In 1954, she became the host of the widely popular “Party Line” program, where she fielded thousands of questions ranging from finding a lost sister (which she accomplished) to getting rust out of sheets (use lemon juice and salt). By 1955, she was one of Raleigh’s top radio personalities, and one of the first woman broadcasters in North Carolina to find a wide audience.

In addition to her work on WPTF, Ann voiced tracks for N.C. State’s Extension Division, judged forensic competitions across the state, and immersed herself in every local venue for her talented voice. Ann also appeared in, managed, or helped direct more than 40 stage productions at Raleigh Little Theatre during a period of 30 years. In 1958, Raleigh Little Theatre awarded her their Best Supporting Actress “Oscar” for the play “Witness for the Prosecution,” an award she would win again in 1966 for her role in “Summer and Smoke.”

Ann’s last on-air broadcast was with Wally Ausley on the occasion of WPTF’s 50th anniversary celebration in 1974. She died in 1998.