Elisabeth Kraus

After growing up in a small-town faith community, Elisabeth went on to earn both her undergraduate and graduated degrees from Northwest University with the hope of continuing on much further in her studies. But as it does for all of us, the journey of motherhood became the most formative of her life as she navigated 2 high risk pregnancies resulting in unexpected 2nd trimester terminations. Those experiences, combined with the birth of her two daughters, Sophia and Maliyah, sent her life and curiosity down an unexpected track and she has spent the last 16 years teaching at the university level and writing about the ways that faith collides with questions of reproductive justice, gender, and parenting. Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in particular, Elisabeth has worked to help communities of faith to have better, more empathic conversations about abortion, gender-affirming care, healthcare access, and the cultural dynamics that influence all of those things.

Most recently, Elisabeth has been teaching at Whitworth University and working as a Parent Coach for parents whose children are various navigating medical complexities. In her, albeit limited spare time, she enjoys life with her girls. Together, they love to read, swim, play every sport on the roster, and hosting friends in their home whenever the opportunity allows.

What you can look forward in Elisabeth’s talk:

• The conflicting ways that people, of all backgrounds, choose to talk (or not talk) about abortions and pregnancy loss
• The ways that you can participate in these conversations in helpful, empathic and productive ways

Fun fact:
Elisabeth loves to play the piano, but can’t read music to save her life. She plays completely by ear.

Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elisabethgale12
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabeth-kraus-5265332bb/
Instagram: @ekraus38