Jane: An Abortion Service

Today it's hard to remember when abortion was illegal. But before the Roe vrs. Wade court decision of 1973, women with unwanted pregnancies faced difficult choices.

Women with money could travel to a country where abortion was legal. Those without that option could take their chances with illegal abortionists in this country. Others tried dangerous self-induced abortions, making the coat hanger a national symbol of women's desperation. Each year an estimated 5,000 women died from botched abortions.

The Abortion Counseling Service of Women's Liberation, better known by its nickname "Jane", began as an underground referral group. Eventually they decided to perform the abortions themselves.

Former Jane members estimate that they performed more than 11,000 illegal abortions. Working under difficult clandestine conditions, Jane became legendary on the streets of Chicago for the quality of its care and the dedication of its members.

This section of our website is dedicated to Ruth Surgal ("Big Jane") 1937-2004

Articles about Jane: Includes both articles written at the time as well as more modern material.

Documents from Jane: Includes the original Jane brochure, a CWLU Steering Committee Report and a song

Stories from Jane: Includes memoirs, writings and clips from the video Jane: An Abortion Service

Jane in the theater: Includes publicity materials, reviews, a radio feature and an excerpt from the play, Jane: Abortion and the Underground

Jane in print: Links and info for The Story of Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service the 1995 book by former Jane volunteer Laura Kaplan

Jane on video: Links and info for Jane: An Abortion Service and From Danger to Dignity: The Fight for Safe Abortion