Norma McCorvey

I listened to "Jane Roe" speak tonight; real name: Norma McCorvey, the plaintiff in Roe v. Wade (1973). She addressed the audience of 400 who attended a banquet sponsored by the Pregnancy Counseling Center of Santa Rosa, California.

I have spoken on abortion for several years, but I was overwhelmed to meet the woman who, in a sense, started it all. Two emotional premises confronted me: This is the woman. The woman responsible for starting Roe v. Wade. But the other thought was, this woman now speaks the truth. Not only is a Norma McCorvey a pro-life advocate, she is also a Christian.

Her transformation was amazing. She went from saying: "I had a reputation to protect, after all. As the plaintiff in the infamous Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, my life was inextricably tied up with abortion. Though I had never had one, abortion was the sun around which my life orbited. I once told a reporter, "This issue is the only thing I live for. I live, eat, breathe, think everything about abortion."

To now saying: "I'm one hundred percent sold out to Jesus and one hundred percent pro-life," I like to say. "No exceptions. No compromise."

Her ministry, Crossing Over Ministry, published the following:

"Her story cannot be written off - because once the whole story is known, the truth shines forth. Norma McCorvey's story is truly a miracle. Her story is not as simple as from, to; her story is one that is full of hardship, darkness, and hate - but ultimately her story is one of triumph.

"Poor, pregnant, and desperate, Norma McCorvey fell into the hands of two young and ambitious lawyers. They were looking for a plaintiff with whom they could challenge the Texas state law prohibiting abortion, and Norma signed on. Little did she know that her signature would one day make her an international figure.

"Eventually, Norma's worst nightmare came true. The controversial pro-life group, Operation Rescue, moved in next door to Norma's abortion clinic. A little girl's affection, a mother's trust, and a gregarious man's friendship surprised Norma, and eventually led her to consider the love, forgiveness, and hope offered by Jesus Christ.

"Norma's ensuing conversion shocked the world. The picture of her baptism made headlines in international newspapers. "The poster child for abortion just jumped off the poster," one pro-lifer said, "and into the arms of Jesus Christ."