The collection documents the political activities of Jo Ann Gasper from 1977 to 1993. The collection is focused on her time as the editor and publisher of "The Right Woman" newsletter, as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and as the Policy Advisor to the Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education. Materials in the collection are comprised of biographical files, correspondence, printed matter, research, speeches and writings.

Jo Ann Gasper was born September 25th, 1946 in Providence, Rhode Island. She received her B.A. in Political Philosophy in 1967, and a Master of Business Administration in 1969, from University of Dallas. Gasper started her professional career in 1976 as an editor and publisher of "The Right Woman" newsletter whose primary focus was centered on family and women's issues. Additionally, the newsletter provided independent consultation on public policy issues and business procedures. Due to her expertise in family and social policy Gasper served as a Family Policy Advisor to the Reagan and Bush 1980 Campaign. She continued her career at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services until 1987, where she served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs. During her time as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs she was responsible for the administration of the National Family Planning Program and the Adolescent Family Life Program. Gasper was released from her position in 1987 by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Otis R. Bowen, for refusal to issue grants to two Planned Parenthood groups. In 1987, Gasper joined the U.S. Department of Education in the capacity of Policy Advisor to the Under Secretary of Education where she worked on issues related to Youth and Family Policy, specifically: adolescent pregnancy, abortion, sex education and contraceptive services. Jo Ann Gasper retired from her political career in the 1990s.

8 manuscript boxes (3.2 Linear Feet)

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The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.