Sister Genevieve: A Courageous Woman's Triumph in Northern Ireland
by John Rae
Overview
From the Publisher
In 1969 the streets of West Belfast exploded in fierce fighting. Lines were drawn. Buildings burned. The Troubles had started. Families in the Catholic ghetto soon began to unravel, undone by violence, separation, and murder. Yet even in this time of turmoil, there were those who fought for stability and the future of Belfast's children... The sight of Sister Genevieve sweeping down the hall, tall and regal in her white headdress, wooden rosaries, and a cluster of keys rattling from her waist, struck fear into the hearts of most girls at St. Louise's school. But this dynamic and outspoken woman also earned their respect as a teacher, mentor, and role model. When Sister Genevieve came to St. Louise's in 1956, West Belfast was already extremely distressed. Under deteriorating conditions she locked horns with stodgy priests, preached against the abuses of authority, and took on the Church establishment on behalf of her girls. Later, bolstered by the open spirit of Vatican Two, she pushed for equality while upholding the empowering virtues of discipline. The results were impressive: girls who had seen no future beyond stitching hankies in the mills went on to university.
She achieved all this -- and more -- against enormous odds. For nineteen years, Sister Genevieve ran her school while the streets around it turned into a battleground, consumed by open warfare between the IRA and the British army. As Catholic homes fell prey to Protestant bombs and invading gunmen, boys disappeared for the "cause," and girls -- her girls -- were dragged off and interrogated, Sister Genevieve turned St. Louise's into a refugee center. Ferrying families by night to peace and safety, she convinced them by sheer force of will that education comes first, no matter how dire the times or bloody the environs. An inspiring yet unvarnished portrait of a woman whose staunch ideals were put to the test and an account of civilians living on the front lines of a heartrending and bloody conflict, Sister Genevieve offers insights relevant to the world we live in today.
My thoughts
There is no disputing the courage and tenacity of Sister Genevieve. I wouldn't have wanted to be in her shoes for anything in the world.
When I bought this book, I thought I'd be reading about Sister Genevieve, and I thought I'd be learning what it was like to live and work in Ireland during the difficult times of the Protestant/Catholic wars. That is what I'm reading, but it's not what I expected. The author is writing the book after the death of Sister Genevieve, so all the stories are pieced together from historical evidence and recollection of events. The story is worth telling, I'm convinced of that, I'm just not sure I'm sold on the way the book is presented.
Having said that, I wouldn't get in the way of Sister Genevieve when she's got a mind to do something her way! That point was very well made in the book. Not even knowing her, I respect her and I'm ready to obey!
Favorite Passage
According to Genevieve, "lots of girls at St. Louise's had fathers and brothers who were killed or imprisoned." They would have included members of the IRA who were killed on operations or imprisoned, often for very long periods, fathers who were murdered by loyalists, family members who were interned during the years 1971 and 1975, fathers who were on the run, and fathers who were not paramilitaries but who were sent to prison for crimes arising out of the Troubles.
For some girls the disruption of family life was brief but dramatic. A senior girl questioned by Genevieve because she was late for school, explained that she and her family had only just been released. The whole family had been held at gunpoint in one room since the previous evening by gunmen who were intent on ambushing an army patrol. In the morning, when no patrol had passed, the gunmen took the family car and warned that any attempt to contact the police would have serious consequences. "And now, if you'll excuse me, Sister, I am late for orchestra practice."
