1929: woman dies from abortion performed in hospital by midwife

On June 20, 1929, 28-yaer-old Jennie Kuba died at Chicago hospital from an abortion performed there that day by midwife Mary Zwieniczak. Zwienczak was arrested July 13. The coroner also recommended the arrest of Dr. Joseph Mienczak, who assisted Zwieniczak, as an accessory. The involvement of a physician, and another trained but non-physician medical professional, was common for criminal abortions.






For more on pre-legalization abortion, see The Bad Old Days of Abortion

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