There Were Lots of Illegal Abortions in the 1960's, There Will be Again

I know several women in my age cohort who got abortions in the 1960-70's. Now we know some details of who did the abortions and how they got away with it. It is stunning and relevant information for today. Those in the anti-abortion cult want to believe there were not abortions before Roe. Thus, if Roe were gone, they believe, there would be no abortions.

Details of the underground operations were published in a 1995 book, The Story of Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service by Laura Kaplan. "Jane" was the secret code name for the group organizing and performing the abortions. (also in Wikipedia)

The underground Jane worked only in the South and West sides of Chicago and mostly among low income black women. Abortions were done in several different homes and apartments, sometimes moving quickly when suspicions came along. There was always a "front" location where women would be sent. The women would then be moved to another location for the abortions. They were administered by a centralized body which kept files on 3"X5" cards. In this relatively small geographical area the group performed 11,000 abortions. They did 100 most weeks and had up to 300 on their waiting list. 

Jane abortions were high quality. Patients were followed afterwards and given medicines to fight off infections early when they happened. Throughout Chicago, of course, thousands of other abortions were happening. Cook County hospital had a wing devoted to botched abortions. I have blogged before about my friend in Fargo who was a Chaplain in a Milwaukee hospital which also had a wing for women of botched abortions.

There were sworn police officers in Chicago who referred women to Jane for illegal abortions. Referrals also came from clergy and doctors. All of this went on for seven years with only one arrest of seven women. These charges eventually were dismissed. While awaiting trail the women charged continued to perform abortions. 

Women were giving information about their health and about birth control. The author Laura Kaplan says they were doing the work of Planned Parenthood before Planned Parenthood. 

The author and leader in Jane is now in her 70's and not involved with illegal abortions today. However, she is convinced somewhere an updated version of Jane is now whispering and organizing. Experience has shown women who want an abortion are determined and will find a way to get one. 

So far as we know, this has always been true in every time and place. 

Comments

  1. Bryan KMay 12, 2022 at 3:59 AM

    "Abortion" isn't the "problem" here.

    The problem is unwanted pregnancy, and the issue has existed for as long as humans have had the ability to write stuff down.

    In the year 2022, we, as a society, have come as close as anyone ever has in solving this problem.

    But now, all of that is under attack. Sex education is under attack. Contraception is under attack.

    The incidence of abortion in America is about to skyrocket unless we do something to prevent that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JonMay 12, 2022 at 4:40 AM

      Bryan K---I agree it is unwanted pregnancy. Behind anti birth control, anti abortion and anti women is religion. And behind religion is self serving and power grabbing people using religion as their vehicle. Without religion, these particular would still be here but they would have one less tool to impose their will on the rest of us.

      Delete
  2. tsmMay 13, 2022 at 6:19 PM

    as the Good Book says, the dog comes back to its vomit. seems that evil does likewise. years ago, when I was doing a weather history project for the Mn DNR, I ran across this article in a 1850's newspaper. the writer was complaining about the New England "priests" who were riling up the country over the slavery issue. it was claimed that they were doing the slaves no good and that they, the abolitionists, should just butt out. sounds familiar? as in if you don't like slavery, don't own a slave.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Maybe the "Original Sin" Should be Reassigned

Image
We can all agree most Catholic priests are fine people and not guilty of sexual abuse. What Catholics must face, however, it that their church harbors executives who are dishonest . There is an incredible story about the Argentine Bishop Zanchetta. The Pope worked with him in Argentina and they are considered friends. Around 2015 Zanchetta sent nude pictures of himself and they began circulating world wide. He also was too friendly with young seminarians and some left because of him.  Three different officials say they made formal complaints to the Vatican about Zanchetta between 2015 and 2017. Yet, in 2018, the Vatican claimed it was unaware of any complaints about Zanchetta. This might be a good time to repeat the Catholic hierarchy claims to have the sole authority handed down from Jesus to what the faith stands for. It condemns as sinners those who practice birth control, have abortions and gay sexual relationships. Handing the hierarchy this responsibility would make som
Read more

The Religious Capitol Invaders May Yet Win

Image
So much about U.S. society and religion can be learned from the Civil War and what happened afterwards. After its defeat, the South started a myth about the unethical soldiers from the North. The South fought for principles of God and states rights. The North did not. It was the South, this propaganda told the country, that had the high moral ground.  The Capitol invaders, encouraged by Trump, swallowed the myth that Biden's election was stolen. Thus, they think they held and still hold the high moral ground. This was reinforced by the cross and prayers during the invasion. Even with Trump is gone, we will see political opportunists like Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley stroking crowds and feeding the same lies as Trump. Like "the South will rise again" these gullible followers will talk of victory over the unclean. After the Civil War the South rallied around the phrase, Lost Cause. For decades, and maybe to this day, there are ceremonies remembering fallen martyrs, Re
Read more

Father Frank Pavone, the Ultimate Crook

Image
Recently, the Vatican defrocked Frank Pavone. His diehard fans are outraged. This is because he cleverly manipulated his fans and the press all the while living well from donations and, apparently, abusing some women. By making abortion the "sin" of the century, and himself the main opposition to this one sin, he himself could get away with any sin he pleased.  As the link points out, Pavone was the perfect priest for the Trump era. Trump is so self-important laws have no role in his life. He felt accountable to no one. Women were there to be had. Pavone and Trump are interchangeable.  Pavone was very successful raising money. In his mind, abortion was so important in Catholic beliefs and he was so important in anti-abortion the money he raised opposing it was his to do with what he liked. The Catholic Church, the brand name he used to raise this money, thought the money belonged to it. When he gave the Vatican the bird, it gave him walking papers. With polls showing the majo
Read more