In 1968, the collective began as a counseling service of the Chicago Women’s Liberation Union. They operated under the pseudonym “Jane,” running ads with phone numbers. When a woman called, she was comforted, given a counseling appointment, and set up with an underground abortionist.
The Jane Collective: Women's Rights in Secrecy
Operations
Jewish Women's Archive, 2021
In 1970, the Janes discovered that their most recent abortionist wasn’t a licensed physician. They realized if he was capable, they also could be by learning from him.
"What was unusual about Jane was, within two years, and really, by the time I joined in the fall of 1971, the women in the group had learned themselves, how to perform D&C abortions and induced miscarriages."
Laura Kaplan, 2021, New York Public Radio
Jane members, 1988, Sojourner
Following the transition from a counseling service to an abortion operation, using their own labor allowed them to bring costs down.
"...the Janes established a monetary fund, encouraging counselees with the financial means to pay the full amount for their abortions, as well as donate extra money to support the women who came after them."
Michelle Mehrtens, 2022, Smithsonian
The Janes (2022), HBO
That year, New York legalized abortion. Many white middle class women that Jane typically served could now afford to travel instead.
"When Donna called Lois [a black woman] to give her the address of the Front, Lois said she was interested in joining, but she wanted to know why so few women of color were in the group. She came on with an accusatory attitude that “you guys are the white angels that are going to save everybody and where are the black women at?” Donna hesitated; Lois took the edge out of her voice and said, “Maybe I can identify with black women a little better.”"
Laura Kaplan, 1995, The Story of Jane: The Legendary Undergound Feminist Abortion Service
The Janes (2022), HBO
With the combination of prices falling and Lois joining the service to bridge the gap she observed where black women didn’t think abortion was an option, their system grew towards women of color and low-income who felt more comfortable reaching out. They took on full responsibility, using their own cars and apartments, effectively making Jane the most accessible and reliable local service.