Jane’s Wish

I met Jane Roe in April 2006. What she told me was so shocking, I asked if she would write it down. She did.

("Jane Roe" was famous for winning the U.S. Supreme Court case Roe versus Wade in 1973 which legalized abortion in all 50 states. Her real name was Norma McCorvey, which was revealed after the trial.)

She was speaking a few miles from my hometown, and I wanted to hear what she had to say. I was surprised to learn she didn’t actually have an abortion, because the case wasn’t decided until after her baby was born.

But I was totally shocked to hear that, in hindsight, she regretted her role in the court case she had won. She even went back to the court to ask if they would overturn their decision, but they said too much time had passed.

I talked to her after she spoke to ask more about her thoughts. I asked if I had heard correctly, that she really did want the court to overturn her case.

“Yes,” she said.

I asked if she would write it down for me.

“Of course!” she said.

She took a slip of paper from the table and wrote, “I wish R v W was overturned." Then she signed it, "Ms Norma McCorvey.”

I couldn’t believe it. Jane Roe wished Roe versus Wade was overturned.

She died about five years ago. But on Friday, her wish came true.

I just thought you’d like to know.