Meet "Jane," the abortion activists who bested Chicago's mob

Extraordinary: The Fight for Reproductive Justice

“Pregnant? Don’t want to be? Call Jane…” In Chicago in the 1960s, abortion was illegal and the Chicago mob was the only option. Until an underground collective, known as Jane, decided to step in. Filmmakers Emma Pildes and Tia Lesson discuss their HBO documentary, 'The Janes,' sharing insights into the bravery and activism of these ordinary people who helped thousands of women.

02:02 Filmmakers Emma Pildes and Tia Lessen

02:21 The Origins of The Janes

02:59 The Context of the 1960s

05:23 Heather Booth: The Organizer

07:18 The Risks and Challenges Faced by The Janes

10:13 The Impact and Legacy of The Janes

20:44 The Current State of Reproductive Rights

23:34 Call to Action: Be the Change

Guests

Emma Pildes

Tia Lessen

Resources

• Watch The Janes on Max or with you library card at Kanopy
• Donate to abortion funds: https://abortionfunds.org/
• General resources about abortion: https://www.ineedana.com/
• Other films & dramas about the Janes:
• https://www.kanopy.com/en/product/jane-abortion-service
• Book: The Story of Jane by former member Laura Kaplan*

Find Us Online

- Website: https://shows.acast.com/extraordinary-the-fight-for-reproductive-justice

- Substack: https://theextraordinarypodcast.substack.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_extraordinary_podcast

- Merch: https://theextraordinarypodcast.substack.com/

Credits

- Host & Producer: Carolyn Silveira. Website: www.carolynsilveira.com, Instagram: @cmoneycmonster Substack: https://rhymeschemes.substack.com

- Producer: Jennifer Bassett, Big Din Productions Website: www.bigdinproductions.com

- Editor: Carolyn Silveira & Jennifer Bassett

- Mixing: Max Liebman - Theme music: Katrina Zemrak

- Cover art: Mauricio Diaz

*(affiliate link)

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