The girls who went away : the hidden history of...

For the girls who were shuttered away: so that you may know you were not alone. For the children who they gave up for adoption: so you can understand what they went through.

A generation ago, women who "got in trouble" were sent away to Florence Crittendon houses (or similar places) where they were given wedding rings to wear if they went out in groups and where they were dropped off at the ER door when they were in labor. This is a realistic and well-written accounting of what these women went through and the writer's attempt at (re)connection with her birthmother.

Comments: 11

sharon SugarMomma is a wise woman, Aug 20, 2007, 5:26pm EDT

The stories of these women are heartbreaking as are the stories of the women who died because of back alley abortions.

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Linda M. Aug 20, 2007, 8:07pm EDT

I hope I get a chance to read that book soon.

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Kit T. Aug 27, 2007, 4:34pm EDT

This is a truly excellent book. I'm a birth mother myself, and was horrified by what the birth mothers before me went through. I feel blessed that I relinquished my daughter in a better environment than years past. If you are a triad member, or love someone who is, this book should be required reading.

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Lori F. Aug 27, 2007, 4:36pm EDT

Kate I remember hearing stories of Orphan trains...this might have been during the war but still. I cant imagine the struggle these women and yes....men went through.

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Jo C. Aug 29, 2007, 12:22pm EDT

As an adoptive mother, I really related to this. Our child did not come to us from the heartrending situations like those described in the book but he did come to us due to a mother's death from cancer. The rest of the family surrendered him for adoption and I intend to write about their contacting us, 10 years later. We are now facing the past colliding with the present so I can't wait to read the book you mentioned.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE HEADS UP!

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