Jenny Knauss Biography by
Jenny Knauss(1999)
CWLU
member from beginning to end. Born in UK, spent 5 years in Nigeria
and Ghana before coming to US, so first work for CWLU was working
on draft of anti-imperialism paper with Vivian Rothstein and others.
Then worked on liberation school workgroup. Two small children meant
day care concerns, so participated in day care group and the sit-in
at City Hall to demand more day care. Was also active in developing
health programs in CWLU: this was partly done in collaboration with
two other English women, Rachel Fruchter who was working on women's
health issues in New York City at the time and Deb Dobbin, Jenny's
sister, who was a strong link with JANE. Unfortunately Rachel and
Deb, who both did so much work for women's health and battered women's
issues here and in England, have died in the last two years. The CWLU
was an unforgettable experience. I feel that my later work (particularly
as director of the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health over the
last 18 years) has been enormously influenced by what I learned in
the CWLU not only about organizing but also about creating an environment
where women - younger and older - could come together and work for
justice.
