Book description
'I promised that I would one day write a book and tell the world
about the home for unmarried mothers. I have at last kept my promise.'
In Ireland, 1951, the young June Goulding took up a position as
midwife in a home for unmarried mothers run by the Sacred Heart nuns.
What she witnessed there was to haunt her for the next fifty years. It
was a place of secrets, lies and cruelty. A place where women picked
grass by hand and tarred roads whilst heavily pregnant. Where they
were denied any contact with the outside world; denied basic medical
treatment and abused for their 'sins'; where, after the birth, they
were forced into hard labour in the convent for three years. But worst
of all was that the young women were expected to raise their babies
during these three years so that they could then be sold - given up
for adoption in exchange for a donation to the nuns.
Shocked by the nuns' inhumane treatment of the frightened young
women, June risked her job to bring some light into their dark lives.
June's memoir tells the story of twelve women's experiences in this
home and of the hardships they endured, but also the kindness she
offered them, and the hope she was able to bring.
June Goulding worked as a midwife in a 'home' for unmarried mothers
in 1951. She is the mother of seven children and lives in Cork. The
Light in the Window is her first book.
