I was surprised to learn that the Catholic Church was not opposed to abortion before “quickening” until sometime in the 19th century. Even Roe v Wade, the landmark “victory” in US abortion law, is formulated in terms of a doctor’s decision-making power, and not in terms of the right of a person with a uterus to control their own body.Īnother eye-opener were the tidbits about the church’s changing attitudes toward abortion. This book opened my eyes to the fundamentally controlling nature of abortion laws. This reminder feels especially timely given the current political situation in the US. The story also serves as a powerful reminder that it is up to all of us to do what we believe is right, what is needed. Over its short existence, the service performed 11,000 abortions, with success statistics similar to that of “legitimate” abortions. It shows the power of a motivated group to organize themselves in order to solve an unmet need and change minds and lives in the process. It is part historical account and part “how to” for service-oriented grassroots groups. The book tells the story of Jane, a Chicago underground abortion service ran by women between 19. I read The Story of Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service as part of the San Francisco Feminist Book Club selection for July 2019. The Story of Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service
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