Born: 26 February 1900, Germany
Died: 19 July 1970
Country most active: Germany
Also known as: Else Kienle La Roe
The following bio was written by Emma Rosen, author of On This Day She Made History: 366 Days With Women Who Shaped the World and This Day In Human Ingenuity & Discovery: 366 Days of Scientific Milestones with Women in the Spotlight, and has been republished with permission.
Else Ida Pauline Kienle was a German doctor known for her activism against the restrictive abortion laws encapsulated in § 218 of the German penal code. Her efforts included performing medically supervised abortions to protect women from dangerous procedures and leading a public campaign for reproductive rights. Kienle’s advocacy and her own legal troubles for these actions sparked widespread discussion and brought attention to women’s healthcare issues.