Inspired by her mother to assert leadership and promote global causes during a time when men dominated the workforce, Marian Ramlow charged forward in the field of women’s health care. At that time, reproductive care was a touchy subject, which inspired Marian to become a leader to aid other women in their efforts to control their reproductive life. Despite much opposition, Marian persevered to reach her goals of providing the correct health care for all women no matter their socio-economic status. With support from her husband, a doctor in La Crosse, and her children, Marian

Marian is a founder of the former Family Planning Center, the first reproductive and medical health facility in La Crosse serving families of need. During the beginning stages, the nurse praticitioner of the Community Action Program, an effort to help rural families with various health needs, joined the Family Planning Center as its professional nurse. Marian quickly became director of the Family Planning Center and spent many years as a board member. After its success, the federal government wanted the center to expand to the surrounding five counties. Then it became known as the Coulee Region Family Planning Center. Today, it has evolved into a professional group called Options Clinic, providing “caring, confidential reproductive health services.”

Her interest in family planning came from various service experiences. One was a concern for evidence of overpopulation in the world, but closer to home, women were wanting to control the size of their families for physical, economic and lifestyle reasons. The federal government passed funding to provide contraceptive services to women who needed medical and financial assistance. In turn, the Family Planning Center’s major goal became prevention.

One important message Marian sends to children is that in our diverse society you must develop your own ideas and attitudes to protect yourselves against intolerance. In this area of reproductive health, there are people and organizations that disapprove of contraception and abortion and are not content to have people manage their own health, as they want but instead to work partially to deny those rights to others.

Marian has been an active member of the Citizens Education Committee, the League of Women Voters, and the American Association of University Women.

Marian’s humble, caring personality has improved the quality of life for many citizens of the greater La Crosse area. Marina contributes her success to the good leaders she has found along her path and her children who have taught her much about this changing world and now her grandchildren and great grandchildren, too.