Elaine Taylor-Klaus oral history interview, February 2, 2009

Item — othertype: Oral History

Identifier: Taylor-KlausE_20090202

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Interviewed by Morna Gerrard. Elaine Taylor-Klaus begins her oral history by discussing her grandparents, both maternal and paternal, and the relationships she had with both them and her parents. She continues by describing her relationship with her former friend David Klaus, who would become her husband and business partner. Together they have three children, and Taylor-Klaus details their familial bonds, and how they have overcome the challenges of being a family with learning disabilities. After discussing her family life, Taylor-Klaus touches on her education, recounting her experiences at Lovett, Wesleyan, and her time as a CORO fellow in New York. It was during her years in school that her passion for women’s rights was established, and she discusses her involvement with the women’s movement, including her work with the Settlement House, and Pathfinders, organizing a March on Washington for women’s reproductive rights, and developing Vote Choice in Georgia. Taylor-Klaus also worked with Georgians for Choice and Planned Parenthood, which she also highlights.

Dates

Creation: February 2, 2009

Creator

Taylor-Klaus, Elaine (Interviewee, Person)

Restriction on Access

Oral history available for research.

Biographical Note

Elaine Taylor-Klaus has followed a lifelong mission to pursue justice and empowerment. Born 1964 as a third generation Atlantan, Taylor-Klaus attended Wesleyan College and proceeded to become a CORO fellow in New York. After completing her education, she focused on women’s rights issues, particularly family planning and choice. She did so by serving on the NYC Commission on the Status of Women, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and the Governor’s Council for Maternal and Infant Health for the state of Georgia. One of Taylor-Klaus’ most notable acts for the Pro-Choice movement was her creation of one of the largest independent PACs in Georgia, Vote Choice. After marrying David and having three children with ADHD, Elaine turned her activism to Public Health and families with children with learning disabilities. Taylor-Klaus is the co-founder of ImpactADHD, a resource for parents raising children with ADHD. Recently, she created Touchstone Coaching with her husband and business partner.