Lonny Myers

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Biographical Information

"Lonny Myers was a doctor, sexologist, activist, and author. Her interests lie primarily in issues of sexuality, reproduction, and gender, and her research and activism engaged these in a broad manner. Her professional and personal life informed one another, and her intellectual passion arose from her lived experiences.

"Born Caroline Myers to an upper class Hartford, Connecticut family in 1922, Her father, Rawden W. Myers, was an insurance executive and her mother came from a prominent east coast family. She went on to Vassar College for her undergraduate degree, where she continued to play squash and tennis competitively. During her summers off, she worked in a factory located near her family's home. She graduated in 1944.

"She met Shu-Yung Wang during her first year of medical school at the University of Michigan, and the two would marry several years later. Myers completed her medical degree in 1948, and went to Chicago where she took up residency at Michael Reese Hospital in Anesthesiology. Upon marrying, Wang and Myers planned to eventually return to Wang's homeland of China to practice and teach medicine, a move they later abandoned. Together they had five children, and Myers continued to practice anesthesiology until 1970, at which time she helped found the Midwest Population Center. There she served as Director of Medical Education and performed and promoted vasectomies. She continued later in private practice offering vasectomies for a reduced cost.

"She was active in many advocacy organizations, and played a key role in the founding of the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL). During her work with the Midwest Population Center, she organized and facilitated conferences and events, offered sex counseling, and lobbied within professional organizations such as the American Medical Association to take stands on issues of reproductive freedom...

"After retiring from her practice, Myers served in Malawi with the Peace Corps in 1989-1991. Upon her return to the United States, she relocated to Colorado."

• Former Chair, Illinois Citizens for the Medical Control of Abortion