Renee Chelian Papers, 1981-1995

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Summary

Creator:
Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture and Chelian, Renee, 1951-
Abstract:
Renee Chelian founded the Northland Family Planning Center, a women's healthcare and abortion clinic in the Detroit area. The Renee Chelian papers include professional papers related to the Northland Family Planning Center, including materials related to anti-abortion groups picketing the clinic, as well as materials related to Chelian's involvement with national women's healthcare organizations.
Extent:
6 Linear Feet (5 boxes)
Language:
English
Collection ID:
RL.11808

Background

Scope and content:

The Renee Chelian papers include professional papers related to Chelian's clinic, Northland Family Planning in Detroit, Michigan, and her work with national organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Organization for Women. Materials relate mostly to her work at the Northland Family Planning clinic during the 1990s and include newspaper clippings, photographs, pro-choice and anti-abortion materials, completed surveys from patients, family, and friends who visited the clincs, and administrative documents related to escort training, office supplies, and staff information.

The collection also contains materials, such as hate mail and pamphlets, related to anti-abortion groups and their picketing of the Northland Family clinic. Folders titled Saturday contain photographs of the picketors and picketing information of the anti-abortion protesting at the clinic. Materials also relate to other anti-abortion materials, including papers related to the harassment of other abortion providers and the murder of Dr. David Gunn, and anti-clinic organizations such as Operation Rescue, Life Dynamics, Prolife Action League, Feminists for Life, crisis pregnancy centers and leaders such as Randall Terry and Joe Scheidler.

Also included are materials from other women's health organizations and campaigns, including Stand Up For Women, Project Choice, and Operation Rescue. Some of the anti-abortion materials contain explicit images.

Biographical / historical:

Renee Chelian, born in 1951, has worked to provide safe abortions and healthcare for women. She began her career by assisting a physician performing abortions pre-Roe vs. Wade. In 1976, she founded Northland Family Planning Center in the Detroit area. Chelian is also a political activist, committed to local and national campaigns to preserve women's reproductive and civil rights. She has been honored by the National Organization for Women (NOW), the National Association of Women Business Owners, and the Michigan Women's Political Caucus for her professional and political contributions.

Acquisition information:
The Renee Chelian papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 2014.
Processing information:

Processed by Amelia Verkerk, July 2020

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2014-0177

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

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Using These Materials


Restrictions:

Collection contains VHS tapes that need to be reformatted before use. Contact Research Services for access.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Renee Chelian papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.