Today, Explained Ask for Jane
Jul 1, 2022
Eleanor Oliver, a former member of the Jane group in Chicago, shares her remarkable experiences providing safe but illegal abortions in the 1960s and 70s. She reflects on the recent Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, expressing concern for women's access to safe reproductive health services. The conversation delves into the activism of the era, highlighting the risks and grassroots efforts women took to support one another. Eleanor also discusses the stigma surrounding abortion and the importance of solidarity in the ongoing fight for reproductive rights.
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Pre-Roe Abortion Landscape
- Before Roe v. Wade, women seeking abortions faced risky and expensive options, like shady doctors or the mob.
- The cost and safety of the procedure varied greatly depending on a woman's financial means.
From Protests to Action
- The Jane collective began by focusing on equal pay, childcare, and anti-war protests.
- Driven to take more concrete action on women's issues, they started providing illegal abortions.
Operating in Chicago
- The Janes operated in Chicago, a city where they felt they could act with relative impunity.
- Police generally left them alone, possibly due to personal connections to the abortion issue.