The world was catching its breath from a war that had redrawn borders and left too many empty chairs at too many tables. It was the 1950's. Girls donned poodle skirts; boys sported crew cuts. People sought comfort in familiar routines, traditional roles, and black and white images from a box called television. Not Cate Clark. Restless and searching for something more, Cate leaves behind an Ireland still scarred from its struggle for independence and steps into the promise of New York City. But before she finds her footing, word from home calls her back to Dublin-her mother is gravely ill. Returning to the world she thought she'd left behind, Cate is confronted by the heartbreak of love and loss for her country, her family, and a man she can never forget. When her mother dies, Cate returns to New York. It's on that voyage across the Atlantic that she meets survivors of Ireland's Magdalene Laundries-women whose pain, courage, and strength spark something deep within her. Inspired by their stories, Cate sets out to create a sanctuary for young women silenced by injustices hidden behind the veils of religion and politics. Spanning the decade and two cities separated by an ocean, Finding Herself is a sweeping tale of love, loss, and redemption. It is a story of resilience, friendship, and the courage it takes to lead your life and shape your own destiny. It is Cate's story.
