February 19, 2002

DOCUMENTARY FOCUSES ON REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND WOMEN’S HEALTH

As part of Women’s History Month, Boise State University Student Programs Board will present the short documentary “Jane: An Abortion Service,” followed by a lecture. The film begins at 7 p.m. Monday, March 4 at the Special Events Center. Admission is free to Boise State students, faculty and staff; $3 for general admission.

The powerful one-hour documentary, co-produced by Kate Kirtz and Nell Lundy, focuses on the history of a group of women who collaborated to provide health care services, resulting in 12,000 safe illegal abortions between 1969 and 1973. “Jane: An Abortion Service” speaks to the need for women to exchange information, the importance of developing our faith in political activism and the power of creating and disseminating radical histories,” said director, Kate Kirtz.

Jane’s founder, Heather Booth, was a civil rights activist who saw the right to abortion as an extension of the right to self-determination rather than as a feminist issue. By 1968 her efforts had resulted in a sophisticated system of women’s outreach programs, eventually servicing more than 300 women a month. In 1972, 10 months before the passage of Roe v. Wade, seven key members of the group were arrested.

In-depth interviews, archival footage and personal documents collectively capture the reality of the Chicago-based mobile clinic that provided abortion services, counseling and education for thousands of women.

The event is being sponsored by Boise State Student Programs Board, Boise State Women’s Center, American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho and Planned Parenthood of Idaho. For more information, please call 426-4636.

Media Contact:
Michael Crump
Student Programs Board
426-3874