Few Supreme Court rulings have been as consequential as Roe vs. Wade, but until her death in 2017, not many know the true story of the pseudonym-cloaked plaintiff ‘Jane Roe’.
For some reason, I distinctly remember the morning I read about it in January of 1973; my sweetheart and I were to be married later that year. Oddly enough, this story and my life are forever intertwined, for 18 years later after battling infertility partly due to an abortion, we miraculously gave birth to our firstborn son on the 18th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade.
The life of Norma McCorvey, otherwise known as ‘Jane Roe’, is a fascinating human interest story; indeed, it is much more than that. Gleaned from interviews, court testimonies, and memoirs, Justin Taylor of The Gospel Coalition shares 5 things you may still not know about her.
(1) The name “Jane Roe” was created over beer and pizza.
In 1969, Norma was 21 years old, divorced, and pregnant for the third time. (The first two children were placed for adoption.) After seeking an abortion but finding out it was illegal, and then driving to an illegal clinic only to find it closed, adoption attorney Henry McCluskey referred her to two young lawyers in Dallas, Sarah Weddington and Linda Coffee. Weddington (who had traveled to Mexico a couple of years earlier to have an abortion) was seeking a class-action lawsuit against the state of Texas in order to legalize abortion. It was an unlikely party at the corner booth of Columbo’s pizza parlor in Dallas: two recent law-school grads in business suits sitting across the table from a rough and uneducated homeless woman. The lawyers needed a representative for all women seeking abortions—one who was young, poor, and white. They just didn’t want her to cross state lines to get a legal abortion, or the case would be considered moot and dismissed. Without money and five months pregnant, Norma was the ideal candidate. After downing several pitchers of beer, they agreed on using the pseudonym “Jane Roe.”
(2) Jane Roe didn’t know the meaning of “abortion.”
Weddington and Coffee told Norma that abortion just dealt with a piece of tissue, and that it was like passing a period rather than the termination of a distinct, living, and whole human organism. Abortion was a taboo topic in 1970, and Norma had dropped out of school at the age of 14. She knew that John Wayne movies talked about “aborting the mission,” so she thought it meant to “go back”—as in, going back to not being pregnant. She honestly believed “abortion” meant a child was prevented from coming into existence.
(3) Jane Roe never appeared in court.
Her lawyers drafted a one-page legal affidavit, which she signed but did not read. This was only the second [and last] time she would meet with her lawyers. She would not be called to testify and attended none of the trial. She found out about the Supreme Court ruling from the newspaper on January 23, 1973, just like the rest of the nation. Few on that day understood the implications of Justice Blackmun’s instruction that Roe vs. Wade was to be read in conjunction with its companion case Doe v. Bolton, which effectively made abortion legal at any stage of pregnancy for any reason.
(4) Jane Roe never had an abortion.
Norma had already given birth and placed the baby for adoption before the three-judge Texas panel ruled against her in May of 1970, long before the Supreme Court decision in January of 1973. She was in a committed lesbian relationship and would not become pregnant again. Abortion continued to be a part of her life, however. She went on to work in abortion clinics, holding the hands of women and offering reassurance as they terminated their pregnancies, and making appearances on the Roe anniversaries.
(5) Jane Roe became pro-life.
In 1995, while working at the clinic, Norma became haunted by the sight and sound of empty playgrounds in her neighborhood. she began to see it was the result of what she once called “my law.”
The decisive change came when she met Emily Mackey, a seven-year-old girl whose parents were protesting at the clinic where Norma worked. Young Emily, who had almost been aborted herself, cared for Norma, showing love and genuine interest, later inviting her to church. Through little Emily’s strong truth and grace, along with those who shared the gospel of Jesus with her, Norma became convinced of the pro-life position and also professed to follow Christ.
Other Roe vs. Wade Players:
The final vote in favor of Roe was 7-2, with five Republican-appointed Justices and two Democratic-appointed Justices in step. Justice Harry Blackmun, who wrote the Majority opinion for Roe v. Wade, was appointed as a conservative by Richard Nixon but eventually became one of the most liberal justices on the Court.
‘The Chief’, as the district attorney of Dallas Henry Wade was known, prosecuted Jack Ruby the shooter of Lee Harvey Oswald who assassinated President John F. Kennedy.
Sarah Weddington was the young attorney who represented ‘Jane Roe’ before the Supreme Court. She enjoyed much professional success after Roe vs. Wade. Today, Sarah Weddington has ‘no regrets’ about her part in this case.
As of 2019, there have been approximately 61 million legally-induced abortions in the U.S. since 1973—nearly the current population of California and Texas combined – but Weddington has no regrets. See the abortion counter.
After becoming an unwitting pawn to forward an agenda, Norma McCorvey had a heart change and became dedicated to overturning the terrible decision of Roe vs. Wade. Some believe she changed her mind again and even documented her apparent confusion, but we can never know the heart of another person.
The Lord desires to do miracles in our lives and ‘restore those years the locusts have eaten’ (Joel 2: 25-26).
Testifying before the Senate in 1998, Norma McCorvey said: “I am dedicated to spending the rest of my life undoing the law that bears my name.”
She petitioned the Supreme Court to undo the Roe v. Wade decision, but it rejected her appeal. She was arrested at Senate hearings while protesting against the appointment of the pro-choice Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. She also made TV ads in 2012.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” ~1 John 1:9
Roe vs. Wade had a destabilizing effect on our lives, a lot of our friend’s lives, our nation and world, and in my opinion, the disastrous effects have never stopped.
My generation and beyond are now living witnesses to the destructive forces that occur when the laws of a country do not line up with God’s word. In nursing school, my colleagues and I were slowly led to accept “the fact” that the pre-born fetus wasn’t particularly valuable.
It is also interesting to note that, in Latin, “fetus” means “little one,” referring to the relatively small size of the preborn baby.
The understanding, long held in medicine, to “First, do no harm” has seemingly become irrelevant. Even though a baby’s heart begins to beat at 16-18 days, many overwhelmingly deny the personhood of an unborn child.
Public schools continue to teach children that the baby a woman is carrying is just a blob of connected tissue and not a living baby, and therefore, this lie is perpetrated on future generations and informs decisions about sexuality, the value and greater purpose for life, and how they relate to others.
It also takes a devastating emotional toll on the abortive mother often reaping lifelong turmoil.
It is my desire that this post is not seen as a condemnation of those who have faced the devastation of an abortion or used by the evil one to cause more guilt, but rather a call to prayer to our Heavenly Father to change our hearts, have mercy on us, and rid this horrendous blight from our land.
May we, like young Emily Mackey who reached out to Norma, reach out to touch the hurting souls all around us. You never know what impact you can make.
Postscript: Norma McCorvey, died at age 69 of heart failure in Katy, Texas. Her book ‘Won by love, I Am Roe’ was on the best seller list for months. And Abby Johnson’s true story Unplanned is a must read to understand the abortion industry.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” ~1 Chronicles 7: 14
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Toni
What. a. story. Thank you for sharing this, Jacqueline, as I wasn’t aware of all the facts surrounding the case. It’s a shame how the poor can be manipulated by immoral beer sluggin’ lawyers, but it’s good to know that Norma McCorvey came to know the truth and reversed her opinion on abortion. How daunting it is to think of the innumerable babies that have been murdered legally since Roe vs. Wade, and the butchering still continues – a horrid blight on the land.
C
I had an abortion 20 years ago. I lost my next pregnancy 7 years later. And, I now am blessed with 2 amazing boys, 10 and 7. I have been pro choice, even working for PP for seven years. But, the last year or so this has been very heavy on my heart. I have spent 20 years wondering what my child would have been like. Boy or girl? Blue eyes or brown eyes? And, the last 10 years, would my boys look up to him/her? Knowing what I know now, I would have found a way to make it work.
I’m not really going anywhere with this, just a confession in anonymity I guess.
Jacqueline
Ah, dear C,
Thank you for sharing that. dear one. There is true peace and forgiveness in Jesus Christ.
Grace to you,
Jacqueline
Melanie
You’re babies are in Heaven, waiting for you. They love you (:
Charlotte Moore
Oh my, what an ordeal some have endured because of all the lies they believed. Thank the LORD HE can make all things new.
BLESSINGS!!!!
Heather@To Sow a Seed
THANK YOU for taking the time to put this all in one place. Sharing this with my older children, who are ready to hear the truth of this awful mess.
Rebecca Ploch Porter
Thank you for sharing such a well written article. I’ve met Norma many times over the past 10 years and what you have written is true. I was at the press conference in Dallas with her and the many women of Operation Outcry when the picture of Noma McCorvey now was taken. She carries so much pain from her involvement, but the Lord has used her so mightily since then. He always takes what the enemy meant for evil and uses it for good and his glory.
I am also a woman that made the wrong choice of abortion….three times. I have since used my testimony on how abortion hurt me to make a difference in my state laws so that other women will be protected. I have also signed a Declaration that is used in legal cases all over the nation. http://www.operationoutcry.org
If you know of a woman or man needing help they can call the National Helpline for Abortion Recovery 1-866-482-LIFE where they will receive information on Bible studies in their area to heal their pain. I have personally taken over 60 women through the Forgiven and Set Free bible study for women and seen their lives change.
I ‘just happened’ to see your article after searching for a recipe for Elderberry Tincture that I posted on my FB page yesterday…..Thank you again for sharing the truth! God is good
Kayle Ann
That is sooooo sad! I can’t talk to my mom about this because she’s at home with Jesus, but my dad says he remembers that day. I didn’t know anything about that. I think I’ll give this page to a lot of girls at school… when it starts again. God bless you Jacqueline!
Jacqueline
If you can share this, I would appreciate it. It helps to know the history so we can have perspective. Thank you and God bless you 🙂
J
Thank you for your encouragement in the article. I have been dealing with the guilt of my abortion in 2005. I have always been pro life but was encouraged by many people to get one since our circumstances were not good. My husband and I were young and scared. I know that is no excuse for our decision and I have been dealing with this ever since. I too wonder about my little angel and I know they are in the arms of Jesus. I also had fertility issues when trying to get pregnant and God has blessed us with a wonderful baby girl.
I still cannot get out from under the guilt and shame I feel from my decision and not sure where to turn for help. I have asked forgiveness for my sin. No one in my family knows about this. Just my husband, me and my best friend who I met years later.
Please help me so I can get out from under this guilt.
Jacqueline
Dear J,
I wish I personally could make it all go away, dear one. Have you accepted the free gift of salvation from Jesus breaking down the barrier between you and God caused by your sin? For me, I had to realize that Jesus held the key to my freedom from the horrible guilt. When I realized that Satan wanted me to suffer and to live with shame (he is a liar and a thief), I decided to cast all my cares at the foot of the cross, where Jesus died for each one of us once and for all!!!! For all time! His blood wipes away the guilt and shame. He took it upon Himself and paid for our sins! Please J, call on the name of Jesus if you haven’t already, and know that the feelings are not from the Lord who has put your sins as far away as the east is from the west. God remembers them no more! There is a wonderful hot line you can call: 1-800-NEED-HIM.
I am praying for you, dear one. Do not let the evil one steal your life.
Claim these words for yourself and ponder what they mean for you! He loves you and me. We are forgiven and loved…too beautiful to comprehend!
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him..”
Psalm 103: 8-13
Let me know how you are doing. I am praying now. I love you in the Lord, dear one <3
Kendra
Just letting you know I’m praying for you too. (Hugs)
Jeri Beth
Hello Mrs. Jacqueline and Mrs. J-
There is a resource I wanted to share with you both after reading your previous comments. It is, http://surrenderingthesecret.com/. I know a lady in my area who had an abortion when she was in college, and she shared this resource with me! Perhaps it can be helpful for you, too.
Mrs. J, this lady also counsels other women who have had an abortion just like she did. I can get you in contact with her if you would like! 🙂
Jacqueline
I would love that Jeri Beth! I can then add it to the end of the post if that would be possible. Thank you!
Jeri Beth
Absolutely it would be. 🙂
margaret
So it is better to have the world over run with unwanted children. Not all children end up in loving homes when adopted. most of these unwanted children will end up in foster care or worse . Or their mothers will be plunged into poverty with to many unwanted babies to feed. You Christians get on their high horses and you have zero clue what the REAL world is like. Is ‘god” going to feel house educate and clothes these millions of unwanted kids. These unwanted kids will have more unwanted kids who will most likely end up on welfare. there is a reason women choose to terminate their pregnancy’s.
They think of the horrendous life the child as well as themselves will have.
You are looking at the issue in an unrealistic way. It is not a black and white issue.
Gets your facts straight.
future.flying.saucers
Thank you so much for this article! There is so much I do not know about this legal case. Education is so important, and knowing science is so important. Laws and opinions do not change Truth.
Jacqueline
I love you blog name…I’m off to give you a visit 🙂 You are welcome!
Troy
I am researching some controversial Supreme Court cases and I knew this one would be high up on the list. It’s amazing what hindsight can show and the subsequent cases that come from this
I found McCorvey went to undo the law in 2002 but the 5th Circuit rejected her case in McCorvey v. Hill
Jacqueline
That is so interesting, Troy! I am intrigued, as well. Thanks for sharing that with us here.
Blessings!
April
Rachel’s vineyard is another beautiful healing ministry that offers retreats for post abortive women. http://www.rachelsvineyard.org
Jacqueline
Thank you for sharing that ministry with us here, April!
Debbie Stevens
I am 64 years old, a retired RN. I was a senior in high school in 1973 when Roe vs Wade went into effect. I went into nursing school, where I learned about fetal growth and development, and I eventually worked in the OB area. I was raised Catholic and gave birth to 5 daughters after I married. I also had 1 miscarriage at 12 weeks. I never understood how anyone could kill their own child in the most vulnerable of all places, the womb. But I knew they had to be very desperate. I believe that the God that created us loves us deeply, unconditionally, always wants to bless us, and has the perfect plan for our lives when we decide to make Him Lord of our lives and seek to follow Him. However, for those that do not have an awareness of these truths, I can see how someone may feel desperate and make the choice of abortion, especially if they don’t have an awareness of there being human life inside the womb from the very beginning. I pray that we all may come to know the Truth about God and our lives, so we may live a life of blessings, instead of a life of rebellion against God and His ways, causing more evil to come against us. God will guide us in His ways and will protect us from evil if we put Him first and continually seek Him. He will always take us back when we turn to Him. We have a very good Father in Heaven. May you all be blessed!
Jacqueline
Debbie Stevens, thank you for sharing your encouraging and hopeful words! <3 ~J
Lynne
Let me start by saying that I am pro-life. I do not agree with abortion at all. However, I think it’s important to recognize that shortly before her death, Norma admitted to accepting large sums of money from anti-abortion organizations. There is a video interview with her where she says, ““I took their money, and they took me out in front of the cameras and told me what to say.” Only the Lord knows her true beliefs and intentions, and I hope and pray that her change of heart was sincere, despite what she said above. I feel saddened at the prospect that she was used by both side of the abortion issue. https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/aka-jane-roe-finally-gives-norma-mccorvey-the-nuanced-portrait-she-deserves/
Jacqueline
Yes, Lynne! I wish we knew more, bit one day it will all be revealed!
I hope she really came to know and truly accept the One who loved her so much He died for her.
~J