In 1969 - four years before Roe v. Wade decriminalized abortion - a group of women in Chicago responded to a critical problem: the danger and desperation faced by women who could not obtain legal abortions. The group set up an underground abortion referral service with a phone number and a single name: Jane. Soon in constant demand, the service saved lives while giving women affirmation of their right to control their own bodies. Determined to lower cost and increase safety, Jane eventually put an abortionist "on contract," and learned, while assisting him, the art of his work. Then, in their boldest step, the members took control of the entire process and began performing the abortions themselves. During the four years of the group's existence, Jane provided more than 11,000 women with safe and affordable abortions, abortion counseling, and health education.
- ISBN10 0679420126
- ISBN13 9780679420125
- Publish Date 13 January 1996
- Publish Status Remaindered
- Out of Print 12 November 2014
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Pantheon Books
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 314
- Language English