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caroline_2605's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
reading_rainbow_with_chris's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
4.0
“The Story of Jane” by Laura Kaplan
For four years prior to the landmark SCOTUS decision, women in need of abortion were calling Jane. But Jane was not a person; she was a network of women who facilitated a now-legendary underground network for abortion and reproductive health services before such services were legal in Illinois. Kaplan, a member of the service herself using a pseudonym for authorship, gathered the recollections of other group members, supporters, and women who used the service to craft a previously unrecorded narrative history of the group simply known as the anonymous Jane.
This was a fascinating read to think about not just from a reproductive justice perspective, but also from a general advocacy, protest, and organizing perspective. The Jane network was an incredible feat of organizational communication which simultaneously worked underground and yet had enough public presence to serve as the face of the fight for reproductive rights in Chicago and beyond. In a way, this narrative history provides a template for activist groups seeking to get resources to those who need it.
Unfortunately, Kaplan’s writing does get a bit repetitive at times and is not the most stylish; in general this was a very dry read. But the clarity, nuance, and informative content more than make up for that. Those interested in learning more about the reproductive rights movement and/or instances of social justice action should definitely hear Kaplan’s story about the legendary Jane.
For four years prior to the landmark SCOTUS decision, women in need of abortion were calling Jane. But Jane was not a person; she was a network of women who facilitated a now-legendary underground network for abortion and reproductive health services before such services were legal in Illinois. Kaplan, a member of the service herself using a pseudonym for authorship, gathered the recollections of other group members, supporters, and women who used the service to craft a previously unrecorded narrative history of the group simply known as the anonymous Jane.
This was a fascinating read to think about not just from a reproductive justice perspective, but also from a general advocacy, protest, and organizing perspective. The Jane network was an incredible feat of organizational communication which simultaneously worked underground and yet had enough public presence to serve as the face of the fight for reproductive rights in Chicago and beyond. In a way, this narrative history provides a template for activist groups seeking to get resources to those who need it.
Unfortunately, Kaplan’s writing does get a bit repetitive at times and is not the most stylish; in general this was a very dry read. But the clarity, nuance, and informative content more than make up for that. Those interested in learning more about the reproductive rights movement and/or instances of social justice action should definitely hear Kaplan’s story about the legendary Jane.
morgannorton's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion
Minor: Domestic abuse
rebleejen's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.5
I came to this book after reading a novel inspired by the history of this group. The real story is more interesting than the fictional account. And just a teensy bit horrifying. 4.5 stars
joellegalatan's review against another edition
5.0
Such a powerful and important piece of history. And very well written.
analenegrace's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
Being a woman in America is genuinely exhausting and I think nothing has ever summed it up as much as this book has.
Written before the overturn of Roe v. Wade, it has only become more important in the last two years than ever before. This book tells the story of over 100 women who performed over 11,000 abortions on women who needed them even though it was illegal. They made the decision to do direct actions instead of campaigning for legalization and accomplished more than some activists in a lifetime. This feels like a form of direct action lost to the decades.
I cried at least 3 times reading this. Every woman in the book was so brave, including the abortionists and the women getting abortions. And yet, being brave didn't really have anything to do with it; they were doing what had to be done.
Kaplan, as one of the women who were a part of Jane, writes this story from the memories of these women and doesn't just tell this story as an inspirational story; she is honest about their difficulties and the stress that this put on everyone involved. The group's infighting is actually really important because it reminds you not to idolize these women but instead learn from them and try to do more and better.
Jane is needed now, but I really wonder if this is possible now. We need it so much, and yet it feels like society might be at a point where this kind of direct action is almost impossible.
Truly a must-read for anyone who cares about abortion rights and history.
Written before the overturn of Roe v. Wade, it has only become more important in the last two years than ever before. This book tells the story of over 100 women who performed over 11,000 abortions on women who needed them even though it was illegal. They made the decision to do direct actions instead of campaigning for legalization and accomplished more than some activists in a lifetime. This feels like a form of direct action lost to the decades.
I cried at least 3 times reading this. Every woman in the book was so brave, including the abortionists and the women getting abortions. And yet, being brave didn't really have anything to do with it; they were doing what had to be done.
Kaplan, as one of the women who were a part of Jane, writes this story from the memories of these women and doesn't just tell this story as an inspirational story; she is honest about their difficulties and the stress that this put on everyone involved. The group's infighting is actually really important because it reminds you not to idolize these women but instead learn from them and try to do more and better.
Jane is needed now, but I really wonder if this is possible now. We need it so much, and yet it feels like society might be at a point where this kind of direct action is almost impossible.
Truly a must-read for anyone who cares about abortion rights and history.
courtneyfalling's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
4.0
I appreciate in-depth histories of local organizing like this book offers, since it can be so rare to read full case studies of how past activists have addressed interpersonal conflicts, changing goals, organizational structure, and so forth. Sometimes this got bogged down in a confusing amount of detail or names, but overall the narrative was really solid and I learned a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion and Medical content
Moderate: Misogyny