Defying the state legislature that outlawed abortion, the Catholic Church that condemned it, and the Chicago Mob that was profiting from it, the members of “Jane” risked their personal and professional lives to support women with unwanted pregnancies. In the pre-Roe v. Wade era — a time when abortion was a crime in most states and even circulating information about abortion was a felony in Illinois — the Janes provided low-cost and free abortions to an estimated 11,000 women.
Directed by Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes
chicago, illinois
1970s
abortion
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Martin Luther King Jr.
Self (archive footage)
Walter Cronkite
Self (archive footage)
Hugh Hefner
Self (archive footage)
Crew
Tia Lessin
Director
Nancy Abraham
Executive Producer
Lisa Heller
Executive Producer
Sara Rodriguez
Producer
Susan Lacy
Executive Producer
Jacob Ribicoff
Supervising Sound Editor
Popular Reviews
28 reviews
stella
8.0★ · 10/17/25
these divas
these divas
Siena Lonsdorf
10.0★ · 05/15/24
they ate this up i was glued to my seat which says a lot for a documentary
they ate this up i was glued to my seat which says a lot for a documentary
“The Janes” is an important watch. It’s been almost exactly 51 years since Roe V. Wade, and just about 19 months since it was overturned by a couple of evil bastards (fuck the supreme court).
This film chronicles the years between 1968 and 1973, in which ‘Jane’ provided an estimated 11.000 safe, affordable and illegal abortions in Chicago.
Seeing footage from back then with all the connections to the anti-war movement and the civil-rights movement as well as hearing these women talk about the experiences they made and the women they met just shows you that each and every one of them was nothing short of a hero!
This once again shows you the terrible consequences a ban on abortions has. That was a fact over 50 years ago and it’s a fact now!
“The Janes” is important, interesting and educational. Abortion is healthcare and a human right, and this shows proof of that.
“The Janes” is an important watch. It’s been almost exactly 51 years since Roe V. Wade, and just about 19 months since it was overturned by a couple of evil bastards (fuck the supreme court).
This film chronicles the years between 1968 and 1973, in which ‘Jane’ provided an estimated 11.000 safe, affordable and illegal abortions in Chicago.
Seeing footage from back then with all the connections to the anti-war movement and the civil-rights movement as well as hearing these women talk about the experiences they made and the women they met just shows you that each and every one of them was nothing short of a hero!
This once again shows you the terrible consequences a ban on abortions has. That was a fact over 50 years ago and it’s a fact now!
“The Janes” is important, interesting and educational. Abortion is healthcare and a human right, and this shows proof of that.
Robin Hellgren
8.0★ · 01/16/23
This makes Roe v Wade hit even harder 💔
This makes Roe v Wade hit even harder 💔
fenix
8.0★ · 09/03/22
11,000 abortions. 11,000 women who’s lives were saved by the janes. awe inspiring.
11,000 abortions. 11,000 women who’s lives were saved by the janes. awe inspiring.
