Ep 1. AKA: Jane Roe

In the first episode of AKA Jane Roe, viewers are introduced to the woman behind one of the most famous abortion cases in American history. Jane Roe, whose real name is Norma McCorvey, was the plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the United States in 1973.

The episode begins with an interview with McCorvey, who died in 2017, in which she describes her early life and how she became pregnant for the third time as a teenager. McCorvey explains that she didn't want to have the baby and tried to get an abortion, but at the time it was illegal in Texas, where she lived. She ended up giving the baby up for adoption and later had another child, but the experience stayed with her.

The episode also details the legal battle that led to the Roe v. Wade decision. Interviews with lawyers who worked on the case, including Sarah Weddington and Linda Coffee, describe the challenges they faced in trying to win a Supreme Court case that would set a precedent for reproductive rights. The lawyers explain that they deliberately sought out a plaintiff who was pregnant and wanted an abortion, and McCorvey fit the bill.

However, McCorvey's motivations for becoming the face of the abortion rights movement were more complex than simply wanting to terminate a pregnancy. McCorvey, who was living in poverty and struggling with addiction at the time, was initially unaware of the significance of the case. She was simply looking for a way to get an abortion without breaking the law.

The episode also touches on the backlash that McCorvey faced after the Roe v. Wade decision was handed down. Many anti-abortion activists targeted her with protests and harassment, and she later became a born-again Christian and an outspoken opponent of abortion. However, some of McCorvey's closest friends and family members maintain that her anti-abortion activism was a result of financial incentives rather than a true change of heart.

Overall, AKA Jane Roe provides a thought-provoking look at one of the most divisive issues in American politics. By focusing on the woman at the center of the Roe v. Wade case, the episode offers a nuanced exploration of the many factors that shape our views on reproductive rights. Whether you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life, AKA Jane Roe is a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of abortion in the United States.