Guide to the Jenny Knauss Collection

Abstract: Jenny Knauss, a member of the Chicago Women’s Liberation Union, worked primarily on women’s education, health issues and day care. She also served as the director of the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health for two decades, from 1983-2002. The Knauss Collection consists of her personal topical files related to the Chicago Women's Liberation Union and feminist health issues, primarily in Chicago, between 1971 and 1978. Knauss wrote a history on the Chicago Women's Health Movement and collaborated with others on a history of the abortion service, Jane, entitled A View from the Loop.

Biography

Jenny Knauss was born and raised in the United Kingdom and lived in Nigeria and Ghana before moving to the United States. She was a member of the Chicago Women’s Liberation Union (CWLU) from its inception in 1969 until it formally disbanded in 1977. She worked primarily on women’s education, health issues and day care. She served as the executive director of the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health for two decades, from 1983 until 2002. Knauss was one of the health activists in the CWLU who worked to organize health programs for women.

Knauss wrote a history on the Chicago Women's Health Movement and collaborated with others on a history of the abortion service, JANE, entitled A View from the Loop.