A very important event occurred recently in Ireland, when finally apologies where made for the sending of girls to the Magdalene Laundries.
"The Taoiseach broke into tears as he made an historic and emotionally charged state apology to survivors of the Magdalene Laundries.
There was a sustained standing ovation after Taoiseach Enda Kenny described the Catholic-run workhouses as the “nation’s shame”, accepting the state’s direct involvement.
And politicians applauded the weeping women as they watched on, finally vindicated after years of struggling.
“I, as Taoiseach, on behalf of the state, the government and our citizens deeply regret and apologise unreservedly to all those women for the hurt that was done to them, and for any stigma they suffered, as a result of the time they spent in a Magdalene Laundry,” Mr Kenny said."
For the rest of the story, click on the link Kenny makes apology to Magdalenes which will take you to The Irish Echo...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magdalene_asylum
There are books and movies, all of which not only show the sadness and often, terrible conditions, but also the fighting spirit of many of the girls.
A survivor, Maureen Taylor, talks of her time there...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7ElRv-hY8Y
May the lessons of the past show us how to plan the future...
