The true story of the Janes: How a secret network provided thousands of abortions in the US in the 1960s

Published

3 years ago

October 30, 2022

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In 1965, before women in America had the constitutional right to choose abortion, a then 19-year-old student at the University of Chicago helped a friend find a doctor who was willing to carry out the procedure illegally.

With desperate women putting their lives in danger by seeking back-alley terminations, it wasn’t long before more were contacting Heather Booth. She quickly realised the demand for the service, and couldn’t handle it on her own.

And so the Jane Collective was set up: an underground network of women who helped other women facing unwanted pregnancies find safe access to abortion. Eventually, some of the members learned enough to carry out the procedures themselves.

The secret group worked together to provide an estimated 11,000 to 12,000 women and girls with safe and secure abortions before the landmark 1973 ruling known as Roe v Wade, which legalised abortion in the US.

Rape victims, women whose pregnancies were putting their own lives at risk, single mothers who couldn’t afford another child, young women who simply lacked education about birth control – there was no judgement. Women did not have to justify their reasons for not wanting to go through with their pregnancies.

Now, the story of the Janes is being told in a new film, Call Jane, starring Elizabeth Banks, Sigourney Weaver and Wunmi Mosaku.

Banks plays Joy, a wife and mother to a teenage daughter who finds a much-wanted second pregnancy has become life-threatening. When a board of male doctors refuses to terminate, telling Joy she must take her chances, desperate and afraid, she comes across the Janes.

The film has been in the making for several years, but following the US Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v Wade earlier in 2022 (Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organisation) – paving the way for half the US to severely restrict or completely ban the practice – its release seems timely.

‘It was very, very risky’

There was a time when every state in America had anti-abortion laws. Critics of the laws accused authorities of punishing women for not managing their sexuality and fertility in ways the government, law enforcement, and medical and religious institutions approved of.

Many women did not know where to find help or were too ashamed or afraid to ask. Some were too poor, or fearful after hearing horrifying stories of back-alley and self-inflicted abortions.

A year before the Janes set up, a woman called Gerri Santoro, from Connecticut, died trying to obtain an illegal abortion; her photo became the symbol of an abortion-rights movement.

In Chicago, Illinois, the Janes changed things.

Call Jane producer Robbie Brenner consulted with some of the original Janes when making the film. “It was very, very risky,” she said. “They were thinking way out-of-the-box. What they did, and what they eventually accomplished in a relatively short time, was nothing short of revolutionary.”

‘Abortion is not controversial – curtailing the right to it is’

For Banks, known for starring in films such as The Hunger Games and the Pitch Perfect series, playing Joy was more than just a role; as the leader of the creative council for the Centre for Reproductive Rights charity in the US, the right to abortion is an issue she feels passionately about.

Speaking while promoting the film in the UK, she told Sky News she disputed the idea that abortion is a controversial subject.

“In fact, the majority of the electorate in America – and obviously here in England – support safe and legal abortion access,” she said. “We represent the majority opinion that is not very controversial whatsoever.

“I do think that there’s a lot of conversation around it right now, of course, because of our Supreme Court and the Dobbs decision.

“But I just always warn people about creating a scenario where we talk about abortion as if the abortion side of it is the controversial side; the side that’s controversial is not allowing women the access to safe, legal abortion healthcare that they need for any variety of reasons. That’s what’s controversial, is curtailing that right.”

‘We don’t have to justify it’ – how Lily Allen spoke in favour of the right to choose

Following the Dobbs ruling, many examples of why women might need an abortion – rape, life-threatening circumstances, harm to the baby – were given by those campaigning against the decision.

But some, including singer Lily Allen, questioned why women should have to justify the procedure at all.

Speaking out about having an abortion herself, the star, who is a mother of two daughters, wrote on Instagram: “I wish people would stop posting examples of exceptional reasons for having abortions.

“Most people i know, myself included, just didn’t want to have a f****** baby. AND THAT IS REASON ENOUGH! WE DON’T HAVE TO JUSTIFY IT.

“It shouldn’t have to be said, and I think all these examples just play into the hands of the baddies.”

What is Roe v Wade – and Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organisation

Roe v Wade was the landmark case of a Texan woman, Norma McCorvey, who was referred to by the legal pseudonym of Jane Roe to protect her privacy, but later spoke out publicly.

In 1969 she became pregnant with her third child and was unable to get an abortion because the state only allowed them if the mother’s life was in danger

Her lawyers brought a case against the local district attorney Henry Wade to the US Federal Court, claiming Texan abortion laws were unconstitutional. The district court for the Northern District of Texas ruled in her favour, but Mr Wade appealed against the decision at the Supreme Court.

After hearing the arguments, in 1973 the court revealed seven of its nine justices had voted in favour of Ms Roe. This meant a change to the constitution, that regardless of any state laws banning abortion, every woman in the US had the right to one within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy – and some rights beyond that.

On 24 June 2022, six out of nine Supreme Court justices voted in favour of upholding a 2018 Mississippi state ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

But the case did not only affect Mississippi. In arguing its case, the state went a step further, asking the court to overrule the two most fundamental pieces of abortion legislation in the US – Roe v Wade and Planned Parenthood v Casey, a 1982 case which built on Roe v Wade by putting more abortion rights into the constitution.

By ruling in favour of Dobbs, the Supreme Court effectively scrapped the guarantees on abortion rights, putting laws into the hands of individual states instead.
At least 12 states have now banned abortion, while others have imposed restrictions or are made moves to make the procedure illegal.

There are those who feel differently, even in the UK, where abortion has been legal for decades.

Earlier this week, anti-abortion demonstrators took part in a pro-life protest in Parliament Square in London on the 65th anniversary of the bill being passed.

Call Jane shows women being accepted by the Janes to have their termination no matter what the reasons behind the decision.

“I find it fascinating that women are sort of infantilised in this way when it comes to their own bodies and healthcare,” Banks told Sky News. “That we somehow don’t know what’s best for us. So a group of men need to be sure that we’re making the proper decision. You know, it’s insulting, frankly.

“It also is insulting to imagine that women are somehow pregnant all alone, and that no man was involved and isn’t involved in the decision to end the pregnancy either, which is nearly never the case, you know?

“I mean, I find that fascinating that we’re sort of… the act takes two but then everything beyond that is only about the woman. We are responsible for everything afterwards. And, you know, every unwanted pregnancy is a result of irresponsible ejaculation. And if this movie can remind anybody of that, I’m happy for it.”

‘Abortion is a normal part of millions of women’s lives’

The film also shows different women having different feelings about having a termination. For some it is a painful choice, but a simple decision for others.

“It is, of course, scary for some women,” says director Phyllis Nagy. “And we do have lots of stories like that already. So we thought that we had a responsibility [with Call Jane] to normalise the procedure and to show a group of women getting together to solve an unsolvable problem, or seemingly unsolvable.”

“I also think Phyllis really wanted to make abortion healthcare feel very normal as part of, you know, many, many millions of women’s lives, a decision that’s made every day,” says Banks.

“And that is not some scary, troubled moment for most women. It’s just, ‘oh, some sperm met an egg and the cells are dividing, and that wasn’t my intention. And so I would like that to stop’. That’s all.”

Call Jane is out in cinemas from 4 November

US

Trump ‘considering’ whether to invite Zelenskyy to Putin meeting in Alaska

Published

1 day ago

August 10, 2025

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Trump 'considering' whether to invite Zelenskyy to Putin meeting in Alaska

The White House is considering inviting Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, according to reports in the US.

The reports come a day after Washington and Moscow confirmed the US and Russian presidents will meet on Friday to discuss bringing about an end to the war in Ukraine.

A senior US official and three people briefed on internal discussions have told Sky News’ US partner network NBC News that the Trump administration is now considering inviting the Ukrainian president to the summit.

“It’s being discussed,” one of the people briefed on the talks was quoted as saying.

Analysis: Zelenskyy faces nightmare deal

Mark Austin

Chief presenter

For Ukraine – its exhausted, brave soldiers, its thousands of bereaved families mourning their dead, and its beleaguered president – it is exactly what they feared it would be.

They fear the compromise they will be forced to make will be messy, costly, unfair and ultimately beneficial to the invading tyrant who brought death and destruction to their sovereign land.

Read Mark’s full analysis here.

The sources said a visit by Mr Zelenskyy has not been finalised – and it is unclear whether the Ukrainian leader will be in Alaska.

However, the senior administration official said it is “absolutely” possible.

“Everyone is very hopeful that would happen,” the official said.

Asked whether the US had officially invited Mr Zelenskyy, a senior White House official said: “The president remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is focusing on planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin.”

On Friday – before the summit was confirmed – Mr Trump had told reporters at the White House that “we’re getting very close to a deal” that would end the conflict.

The US president added there will be “some swapping of territories to the betterment of both sides”.

Zelenskyy suggests he’s unwilling to give up territory

Yesterday, the Ukrainian president warned that allowing Russia to keep territory it has occupied in Ukraine will result in another invasion.

He said allowing Mr Putin to annex Crimea in 2014 didn’t prevent Russia forces from occupying more parts of Ukraine during the current conflict.

Mr Zelenskyy added: “Now, Putin wants to be forgiven for seizing the south of our Kherson region, Zaporizhzhia, the entire territory of Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and Crimea. We will not allow this second attempt to partition Ukraine.

“Knowing Russia – where there is a second, there will be a third.”

NATO allies say Ukraine must be involved in negotiations

Ukraine and several NATO allies have reportedly been privately concerned Mr Trump might agree to Mr Putin’s proposals for ending the war without taking their positions into account.

In a joint statement last night, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland and the European Commission said Ukraine’s future cannot be decided without Kyiv.

They said: “Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities.

“The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.

“We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force.

“The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations.”

Read analysis:
Lifting sanctions a ‘massive victory for Moscow’
Stakes high for Alaska summit as Zelenskyy faces nightmare deal
Why Trump will have a lot of ice to break at Alaska summit

UK hosts Ukrainian officials ahead of summit

Earlier, Foreign Secretary David Lammy hosted a meeting of top Ukrainian officials and European national security advisers alongside US Vice President JD Vance.

The meeting took place at Chevening, the foreign secretary’s official country retreat in Kent, where Mr Vance is staying at the start of a UK holiday.

After the meeting, Mr Lammy said: “The UK’s support for Ukraine remains ironclad as we continue working towards a just and lasting peace.”

It is understood that the meeting had been called at Washington’s request, and included representatives from the US, Ukraine, France, Germany, Italy, Finland and Poland, as well as the UK.

Ukraine was represented by Rustem Umerov, secretary of the country’s national security and defence council, and the head of Mr Zelenskyy’s office, Andriy Yermak.

In a post on social media, Mr Yermak said the allies’ positions were “clear” that “a reliable, lasting peace is only possible with Ukraine at the negotiating table, with full respect for our sovereignty and without recognising the occupation”.

Ahead of the meeting, Sir Keir discussed the talks in a call with Mr Zelenskyy, and also spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said Sir Keir and Mr Macron “discussed the latest developments in Ukraine, reiterating their unwavering support for President Zelenskyy and to securing a just and lasting peace for the Ukrainian people”.

US

Man who killed police officer ‘blamed COVID jab for making him depressed and suicidal’

Published

1 day ago

August 10, 2025

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Man who killed police officer 'blamed COVID jab for making him depressed and suicidal'

A man who opened fire on the headquarters of America’s national public health agency – leaving a police officer dead – had blamed the COVID vaccine for making him depressed and suicidal.

Patrick Joseph White, a 30-year-old from Georgia, had tried to enter the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta but was stopped by guards, a law enforcement official said.

They added that White then drove to a pharmacy across the street before opening fire late on Friday afternoon.

He was armed with five guns – including at least one long gun.

DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, who had three children, was shot dead while responding to the incident.

White also died, but authorities haven’t said whether he was killed by police or if he killed himself.

His father had contacted police and identified his son as the possible gunman.

White’s father also said his son had been upset over the death of his dog and had become fixated on the COVID-19 vaccine.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, whose scepticism of vaccines has been a cornerstone of his career, voiced support for CDC employees yesterday.

But some laid-off CDC employees said Mr Kennedy shares responsibility for the violence and should resign.

Mr Kennedy has a history as a leader in the anti-vaccine movement, but he reached new prominence by spreading distrust of COVID-19 vaccines. For example, he called it “criminal medical malpractice” to give these jabs to children.

He said after the shooting: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at CDC’s Atlanta campus that took the life of officer David Rose.

“We know how shaken our public health colleagues feel today. No one should face violence while working to protect the health of others.”

Sarah Boim, a former CDC communications staffer who was fired this year during a wave of terminations, said the shooting was the “physical embodiment of the narrative that has taken over, attacking science, and attacking our federal workers”.

White’s ‘distrust of COVID vaccines’

A neighbour of White told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the gunman spoke with her multiple times about his distrust of COVID-19 jabs.

Nancy Hoalst, who lives on the same street as White’s family, said he seemed like a “good guy” but he would bring up vaccines even in unrelated conversations.

“He was very unsettled, and he very deeply believed that vaccines hurt him and were hurting other people.” Ms Hoalst told the Atlanta newspaper. “He emphatically believed that.”

However, she said she never believed White would be violent and added: “I had no idea he thought he would take it out on the CDC.”

US

Donald Trump reveals when – and where – he will meet Putin for Ukraine talks

Published

2 days ago

August 9, 2025

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Donald Trump reveals when - and where - he will meet Putin for Ukraine talks

Donald Trump has announced his “highly anticipated” meeting with Vladimir Putin will take place next Friday in the US state of Alaska.

The two presidents are expected to discuss the war in Ukraine – with the talks potentially leading to a breakthrough in Mr Trump’s effort to end the conflict.

But there’s no guarantee it will stop the fighting since Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on their conditions for peace.

Earlier, the US president told reporters “we’re getting very close to a deal” that would end the war.

Mr Trump added there will be “some swapping of territories to the betterment of both sides”.

Follow latest: Ukraine war live updates

The meeting between the two leaders will be the first US-Russia summit since 2021, when former US President Joe Biden met Mr Putin in Switzerland.

Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social: “The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska. Further details to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The meeting was also confirmed by Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, who said the leaders will “focus on discussing options for achieving a long-term peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian crisis”.

He added that the two presidents could meet in Russia in future and that an invitation has already been extended to Mr Trump.

Yesterday, Mr Trump had told reporters at the White House that he couldn’t announce where or when the meeting would take place but he would do so soon.

He also suggested that his meeting with the Russian leader could come before any discussion involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“We’re going to have a meeting with Russia, start off with Russia. And we’ll announce a location. I think the location will be a very popular one,” Mr Trump said.

The US president added: “President Putin, I believe, wants to see peace, and Zelenskyy wants to see peace … in all fairness to President Zelenskyy, he’s getting everything he needs to, assuming we get something done.”

Territory to form part of talks

Speaking about the role that territory will play in the peace talks, Mr Trump said: “You’re looking at a territory that’s been fought over for three-and-a-half years. A lot of Russians have died. A lot of Ukrainians have died.

“So we’re looking at that, but we’re actually looking to get some back, and some swapping.

“It’s complicated, actually. Nothing is easy. It’s very complicated. But we’re going to get some back.

“We’re going to get some switched. There’ll be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both.”

Analysts, including some close to the Kremlin, have suggested that Russia could offer to give up territory it controls outside of the four regions it claims to have annexed.

Pressed on if this was the last chance to make a major peace deal, Mr Trump said: “I don’t like using the term last chance … when those guns start going off, it’s awfully tough to get them to stop.”

Western officials ‘to meet in UK’

Meanwhile, senior officials from the US, Ukraine and several European countries are due to meet in the UK this weekend to try and reach common positions ahead of the Trump-Putin meeting, according to Axios.

Ukraine and several NATO allies are reported to be privately concerned that Mr Trump might agree to Mr Putin’s proposals for ending the war without taking their positions into consideration.

Since his return to the White House in January, Mr Trump has moved to mend relations with Russia and sought to end the war – with public comments veering between admiration and sharp criticism of Mr Putin.

In a sign of his growing frustration with Russia’s refusal to halt its military offensive, Mr Trump had threatened to impose new sanctions and tariffs against Moscow – and countries that buy its exports – unless the Kremlin agreed to end the conflict.

A deadline was set for yesterday, but it is unclear whether these sanctions are taking effect, or if they will be delayed or cancelled in light of the talks.

War grinds on ahead of talks

The meeting has been arranged as Russia’s bigger army is slowly advancing deeper into Ukraine at great cost in troops and armour while it relentlessly bombards Ukrainian cities.

Ukrainian forces are locked in intense battles along the 620-mile frontline that snakes from northeast to southeast Ukraine.

The Pokrovsk area of the eastern Donetsk region is taking the brunt of punishment as Russia seeks to break out into the neighbouring Dnipropetrovsk region.