Black Pearls Magazine

Interview with Author Patti Wicklund

Jane’s life stories motivated me to write “Breaking My Silence” because I needed to understand how and why’s of prostitution.

“Breaking My Silence” Confessions of a Rat Pack party girl and sex-trade survivor is a bold truth about Jane McCormick’s abusive childhood, too-young wife and mother, rape, prostitution and her inside stories as the Las Vegas, “high-class call girl” during the 1960s.

Jane McCormick is called a sex-trade survivor, and was a “high-class call girl” and former prostitute.  But what she really was and still is today, is a successful entrepreneur, a true women’s advocate, and born to be a natural marketing/business major from the college of life.

Jane’s played a big part in our American history during the 1960s and today is an inspiration to all women who seek equality and want to fight against women’s violence.

When I met Jane McCormick fifteen years ago, I immediately knew that she was a unique and wonderful person just by the way she walked into a room. While everyone was busy, trying to have a good time, Jane was busy “working the room” just like she’d done in Las Vegas years before, except, this time she was simply trying to meet new friends. Assertive, selective and smart she methodically worked the room eventually meeting me, an educated artist being laid off from a major corporation.

Teamed together, we formed a successful cleaning service. As time past Jane, entertained me with her Las Vegas celebrity stories, but I had to understand why Jane, had to live such a horrific life. And that developed into this book.

My name is Patti Wicklund, and lived in a modest North Minneapolis home during the 1950s with two loving parents, a big brother, and loyal grandparents and with neighbors who were family to me.

After graduating from high school, I worked for five years then, after my father died, decided to get a college education. I completed an AA degree in Fine Arts from North Hennepin Community College. Then I went on to finish a BA in Fine Arts from Metropolitan State University and at the same time graduated with a BFA in Visual Communications Design from Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

“Breaking My Silence”, Confessions of a Rat Pack party girl and sex-trade survivor was an eye opener for me. At first I didn’t believe Jane’s stories, then one day I found a photograph of her on the internet with “The Rat Pack” at the Sands Casino in Las Vegas. After that, I needed to understand how Jane got there! So I started looking at her photos, asking her more questions, researched the locations then just started writing.

Jane McCormick is a brave and caring individual who had to struggle through life surviving many horrifying obstacles and is still alive to help others stay out of the business.

The honest reality of this book is a must read for parents, teachers, preachers, officers and teens who needs to understand the cruelty child abuse and prostitution and see who the men are behind its corruption.

The main message to the girls is “Don’t Do It!” 

Change the laws. Arrest the child molesters, johns and pimps.