Lena Proud papers

Lena Pink Proud was born in January 1889 in Napa, California. She moved with her parents to Goodrich, Idaho where she went to school through 8th grade. Over the years, Proud worked as a babysitter, cook, and boarding-house operator. She was also a self-described practical nurse who received some medical instruction from a local doctor in Goodrich. She often helped women with the birth of their babies and provided general nursing care to people in the areas of rural southwestern Idaho and eastern Oregon.

In 1952, Proud was brought to trial on charges of Procurement of Abortion, found guilty and sentenced to the maximum sentence of five years in the Idaho State Penitentiary on June 11, 1952. After two unsuccesful attempts to overturn the conviction, she began her sentence, and eventually was paroled on November 1, 1954 after serving 11 months.

Proud died on July 12, 1967 and is buried in the Marsing-Homedale cemetery.