Jennifer Strauss AM (born 30 January 1933) is one of Australia's pre-eminent contemporary Australian poets, an academic,[1] and pioneer of women's rights.
Jennifer Strauss, née Wallace, younger sister to Mary and older brother to Bob, was born in Heywood, Victoria and grew up on a dairy farm.
Despite this, Strauss was denied eligibility to be considered for the Melbourne University Travelling Scholarship because "they wouldn't give it to a woman".
Without an immediate opportunity for further academic pursuits, Strauss obtained her first teaching post with The University of New England, Armidale NSW where it was "very cold".
Throughout her academic life, Strauss consistently demonstrated commitment to social issues through office-bearing roles in professional and union bodies and reflected of these themes in her poetry.
Recurrent themes in Strauss's writing are memories of a country childhood; motherhood and domestic issues; depression and suicide (especially among females); anti-war concerns; and the re-interpretation of old stories and myths.