Gina Ross—known primarily as a queer anarchist, feminist and activist—passed away at Northwestern Memorial Hospital on Dec. 8, 2007, of complications from leukemia. She was 33.
Ross was born July 20, 1974 to Nicholas and June Ross in Antioch, Ill. She graduated from Carmel High School in 1992, and earned a Bachelors of Science degree in social work in 1997 from Aurora University.
Embracing her activist spirit, Ross participated in the College of Lake County Campus-based Amnesty International during the mid-’90. She joined the Anti-Racist-Action Chicagoland chapter in 1997 and the Loyola University Campus-based chapter in 1999. Ross later joined the Autonomous Zone (the anti-authoritarian Infoshop/resource center collective) ; during her time in this organization, she organized various events, including feminist-oriented forums.
Ross co-founded the Pomegranate Radical Health Collective (a health activist organization) in 2003. She then worked as a canvasser for the social-justice organization ‘Peace Action’ during the last years of her life.
Ross is survived by her parents and friends.
A memorial for Ross will be held Sat., March 1, at the Mercury Café, 1505 W. Chicago, at 2 p.m. Ross was cremated; her ashes will be spread at a later date.