The 21st Show

Abortions in Illinois before Roe v. Wade

 
Anti-abortion and abortion-rights activists argue their viewpoints on the steps of the State House in Trenton, N.J., April 30, 1973.

Anti-abortion and abortion-rights activists argue their viewpoints on the steps of the State House in Trenton, N.J., April 30, 1973. AP Photo

Before Roe v. Wade recognized a constitutional right to abortion across America, women still found ways to end their pregnancies. In Illinois, that meant seeking help from an underground, feminist abortion service operating under the code name “Jane.”

GUESTS

Leslie J. Reagan

Professor of History, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Author, When Abortion Was a Crime 

Eileen Smith 

Worked with the Abortion Counseling Service in Chicago (a.k.a Jane)  

Received an abortion in Illinois before it was legally protected 

Martha Scott 

Worked with the Abortion Counseling Service in Chicago (a.k.a Jane)  

Laura Kaplan 

AuthorThe Story of Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service