Barrier

BARRIER 

The Jane Collective sought to break the physical and ideological barriers surrounding abortion in the United States

Short Term Impact

Before the Jane Collective, women were forced to suffer with the consequences of an unplanned pregnancy, and would often resort to dangerous methods of terminating the birth, endangering the woman. The Jane Collective reduced the physical barrier by providing over 11,000 safe abortions, and eliminated almost all abortion related deaths.

Women formarly had to wear bags over their heads to protect the identity of the physician. ​​​​​​​

"Poor women and women of color disproportionately suffered to obtain an abortion"

~Our Bodies Ourselves Organization~

"Jane" provided safe and accessible abortions that catered to the common woman, and took their personal needs into mind, something that had never been done on such a large scale before. 

"Each pregnant women met with a counselor to dicuss the procedure and anything she wished" 

~Chicago Tribune~


Long Term Impact

The long term impacts were much more broad than the short term impacts, as they did not focus purely on a physical barrier, but also on an ideological barrier.

First, the organization made way for Roe vs. Wade, a landmark act in U.S. history; passed in 1973, it legalized abortion and protected private and personal medical decisions throughout the United States. After this law was put in to place, the number of illegal abortions plummeted from approximately 130,000 to a meager 17,000, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Although "Jane" made way for Roe vs Wade, the act was not solely inspired by the Jane Collective and most likely would have happened later in history.

Pictured to the right: Newspaper article taken from the New York Times. Published January 23, 1973, after Roe vs. Wade was passed. 

Click to learn about Roe vs. Wade

Second, the stigma around abortion, along with birth control was lifted. Birth control was passed as a contraceptive in 1960; however, stigma surrounding the recreational usage of birth control was still at large. After the Jane Collective this stigma was greatly minimized long term, and wider access to birth control was provided. Additionally, the stigma surrounding abortion was reduced, and, although it was not completely taken away, abortion procedures were also more normalized.

"Critics warned that The Pill would spawn generations of loose, immoral women; what it spawned was generations of empowered women who are better equipped to make rational choices about their lives" 

-Letty Cottin Pogrebin, founder of Ms. Magazine, reporting to CNN

A form of birth control. Pictured above is an oral contraceptive that can prevent unwanted pregnancies if taken with the correct instructions. 

"I can't imagine what would have been my life if I didn't have access to Planned Parenthood and a clean and safe environment, so it was a happy ending."

-Jayne Wellins reports her experience with planned parenthood (1978)

Finally, the establishment of the Jane Collective made way for Planned Parenthood, a service that still exists today, and provides women with reproductive education, access to contraceptives, and access to safe and legal abortion procedures.


Planned Parenthood facilities are run across the nation today.