The news of Norma McCorvey’s death last weekend brought to mind an opportunity I had to hear her speak in 2008 at an Alabama Citizens for Life dinner in Montgomery.
You may not be familiar with her name, but you will know her as “Jane Roe” in the Roe V. Wade case that resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1973 that legalized abortion on demand the entire nine months of pregnancy.
Norma recalled that her involvement in the case was minimal.  In 1969, she was a high school drop-out, divorced and five months pregnant with her third child and she wanted an abortion. Living in Texas at that time, state law only permitted abortion to save the life of the mother.
Norma’s first child was being reared by her mother and she had chosen adoption when she had her second child. Norma asked her doctor to put her in touch with an adoptive/foster attorney who then introduced Norma to an attorney who convinced her to be the plaintiff “Jane Roe.” Norma never testified or answered questioned in a courtroom.
Some two years later, she found out about the Supreme Court ruling on Roe V. Wade when she happened to see the headlines in the newspaper. Her third child was adopted, so “Jane Roe” never actually had an abortion.
Norma McCorvey went on to work in abortion clinics. In the late 1990s, she was working as marketing director at a Dallas abortion clinic. She remembered how a pro-life group opened offices next door to the clinic.
The office manager of the pro-life group was a woman named Rhonda. Rhonda’s seven-year-old daughter, Emily, and her sister would play with dolls outside the office. Emily, who had almost been aborted herself, befriended “Miss Norma.” Emily showed Norma genuine love, giving her hugs and inviting her to church.
Norma finally agreed and went to Hillcrest Church one Sunday in July 1995. That decision changed her life. Through this young girl’s unconditional love, along with those who shared the Gospel of Jesus with her, Norma converted to Christianity.
At the that time, she was asked about her future plans, “I will be serving the Lord and helping women save their babies. I will hold a pro-life position the rest of my life.”
She dedicated herself to pro-life work, starting her own ministry, “Roe No More,” in 1997.  She spoke out against abortion, and for life.  Norma went to court in 2003 to try to get Roe. V. Wade overturned. Her affidavit read, “It is my participation in this case that began the tragedy, and it is with great hope I now seek to end this tragedy.” The justices refused to open the case.
Isaiah 11:6 says, “….and a little child will lead them.” Norma has said, “Abortion was no longer an ‘abstract right.’  It had a face now, in a little girl named Emily.”
At the dinner in Montgomery, she stated, “I believe God has brought me to this point to bring change once again.”

– Jan White is an award-winning columnist.