Madam, - I am researching the role and impact of Irish women religious who undertook missionary work abroad during the period 1900-1970.
I wish to examine what motivated these young women to join missionary religious communities and to what extent they brought their culture, identity and values to bear in their work as religious.
I am particularly interested in the chain pattern of female emigration - how when one girl from a family entered religious life to work abroad, she was frequently followed by a sister or friends from the same parish.
The lives and personal stories of many of these women have remained unrecorded and unheard.
I invite women religious who entered such convents and who would like to tell their story to contact me.
Alternatively, family historians may have treasured memories, letters, photographs of their sisters, aunts, friends which they would like to share with me.
These women have had a significant influence on the educational and medical services in the countries where they have worked, and with your help I would like to record their contribution.
Any information provided with be treated in confidence. Please feel free to contact me at the address/phone number below. - Yours etc.,
TERESA O'DOHERTY, Ph.D. Department of Education and Professional Studies, University of Limerick, Telephone number: 061-202708