How did Jane grow up?
Jane was allowed to grow by word of mouth. Women who came in for the procedure sometimes became members. There was a demand for abortions. Word spread fast. New recruits were educated on the ways of Jane through their periodical orientation meetings. They became the drivers, the counselors, and eventually, the abortionists themselves. In 1969, the group of women known as Jane were brought under the umbrella organization of the Chicago Women's Liberation Union. The Union believed in equal rights for women, including reproductive rights. Although the decision to include Jane as one of the organization's causes was a controversial one within the group, it was decided that freedom for women included the right to do what they wanted with their bodies. This joining of the smaller group to the larger organization made Jane stronger. Over 100 women at a time worked on the project between 1969-1973, the years Jane was in operation. College students, housewives, and mothers made up its membership and worked as the drivers, counselors, and eventually, the abortionists.
What were the goals of the group?
Their goals were to decrease the cost of abortions while increasing the availability and safety for women who wanted them.
Who performed the abortions?
At first, Jane had a number of doctors who they called to perform the abortions. As their activities were illegal, this became more and more dangerous. They came to rely on the services of one doctor, "Mike". It came out that "Mike" was not a licensed doctor, however, and the women realized they could do the abortions themselves. "Mike' taught one woman, and she taught another, and so on. When the women didn't have to pay "Mike" anymore, they could drastically lower their prices to whatever a woman could pay, even if it was nothing.
How was Jane allowed to operate at a time when abortions were considered "homicide?"
Any illegal activity involves the mob somehow. The daughters of mobsters needed abortions too, as did the daughters of police, congressmen, and other men in power. The police turned their backs. Money was paid under the table. Jane operated in neighborhoods that were friendly to their cause. It was in 1972 that the Catholic sister of one of their clients turned them into the cops. 7 women, workers of Jane, were arrested. None of the women who had used Jane would testify against the women, and the case was eventually dropped with the decision of Roe v. Wade.
Why did Jane disband?
With the Roe v. Wade decision, the opening of abortion clinics across the country decreased the need for Jane. Women were able to go to their gynecologists, if they performed the procedure. Besides, the abortionists who worked for Jane were not real doctors, and they didn't want to get arrested for practicing medicine without a license.