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Jesalee Fosterling ’53

A picture of Jesalee Keffeler Fosterling

Jesalee Keffeler Fosterling ’53, August 18, 2006, in Portland, from multiple myeloma. Jesalee transferred to Reed from the University of Oregon, and received a BA in history. She married Charles D. Fosterling ’53 in 1951; they had three children. She was the first president of the founding board of Planned Parenthood (1963). She became executive director in 1968—a position she maintained until retirement in 1989. Under her leadership, Planned Parenthood evolved from a volunteer-run clinic serving a few hundred individuals to a professionally run health-care organization for nearly 60,000. Jesalee did tremendous work to raise awareness and funds for the organization, as well as advocating for a broad span of issues regarding equal opportunity and civil rights. She also served on the board of the Reed alumni association and the American Civil Liberties Union. Survivors include Charles, two daughters, son, and five grandchildren.

Appeared in Reed magazine: February 2007