Today we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. But I also celebrate my Irish heritage. My great-grandmother immigrated to the U.S. from Ireland in 1896. She was one of the many seemingly nameless, faceless souls that passed through Ellis Island, hoping to leave a life of strife behind to live the American Dream.
The Death of a Dream
But like so many, her life was far from the dream she had imagined for herself. And her story, though over 100 years old, is sadly still relevant to what is going on today.
As an immigrant, she endured prejudice and limited job options. As a woman, she was a victim of sexual harassment by her rich employer who forced himself upon her in the home where she worked as a maid. Eventually, she found herself pregnant with no husband to support her. But since there was no Planned Parenthood, or it could have been because of her strong faith, she gave birth to a son and gave him her own last name.
Not Much Has Changed
Over a hundred years before Immigration Reform and the #MeToo, Black Lives Matter and #TimesUp movements, my great-grandmother was going through some of the same things that immigrants, minorities and women are still dealing with in this country today. We look at the 1800s as a time that is only remembered in the history books. But since then not much has actually changed.
Returning to My Roots
I don’t have a picture of my great-grandmother, but I carry her story with me. She is my namesake. I am proud to say that I am the great-granddaughter of an immigrant who made her own way in the world, raised her son, my wonderful Uncle, on her own, eventually married and had two more children, one of whom became my Nana.
And though she wasn’t remembered for being a particularly kind or warm woman, she was a woman of strength and courage. And those are qualities that we all need to stand up to those who try to deport the Dreamers, those who stormed the Capitol Building in January as lawmakers were counting votes for the presidential election that named Joe Biden and Kamala Harris (the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants) the victors, and to speak out against those who don’t understand that “no” means NO.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all of the dreamers and the doers.
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Hi, I’m Kate
I love this tribute!! She sounds like an amazing woman. Reminds me of what my grandmother did to get my mom and myself here from Jamaica!!
Your grandmother must be such a strong, courageous woman. Can you imagine leaving your country to start a life somewhere else? Crazy! I have so much respect for people who take that change.
I am Irish on my father side of the family. Last year we had the opportunity to go to Ireland and visit the area my ancestors came from. I fell in love with Ireland and the people. Finding ones roots is so very important.
I am so jealous Candy! I have family in County Cork but I have never had the chance to visit. Where is your family from?
Wow thank you for sharing your family history and your great-grandmothers story! Super interesting!
Thank you! I am currently investigating more on her life and it really is fascinating, but also sad. I appreciate you taking the time to read it.
No Irish in me but my grandmother was born in Iceland. It is always neat to hear stories of your family history and see where you come from.
I went to Iceland earlier this year and loved it! I’m actually working on a few posts about it now. What part is she from?
It’s great that you have the stories of your grandmothers bravery and the difficult times she went through. So now you possess some of those great traits.
Thank you so much! I hope so. I appreciate you taking the time to read her story.
Amen to that! I couldn’t agree more to everything you said! Something needs to be done with all these crazy things happening around us. We all have to stand up to these!
I am with you Belle! I’m hoping to participate in the March for our Lives in Boston on Saturday and I keep making my donations to the #metoo and Time’s Up movements in the hope that my children won’t have to deal with the same issues that we have been saddled with.
Your grandma sounds like an amazing and strong woman!
I never got to meet her, and I’ve heard she was actually very tough to deal with, but I understand why after learning her story. Thanks Sarah!
I was always told I have a pinch of Irish in me. I am not sure if that is true or made up by my mom.
Be proud of that pinch – even if it’s just made up!
What a powerful story of courage and perseverance. My family is also from Ireland and it’s so discouraging to see that the same issues are still around.
I didn’t even really realize it until my mom told me my great-grandmother’s story and I couldn’t believe the parallels to today. What part of Ireland are you from?
I’m Irish! Amazing day to be Irish!! I came over from Erin may henry’s FB group to say hi… I would love if you would also check out my blog at changingpathwaysblog.com, a career and wellness guidance blog for the highly sensitive person. xxx
That sounds like a blog for me to check out. Thank you so much for telling me about it!
Your grandma sounds like she was a strong person. It’s good to have memories and stories of our ancestors and to share them, especailly with our own kids. I agree, something needs to change. Like now.
Thank you so much! Something does have to change and I think that’s what I really took away from her story.
aww your grandma seems so brave and strong! amazing story!
Thank you so much Adriana! I really appreciate you saying that.
it is important to cultivate the traditions and remember where you come from.
I totally agree Daria! It’s important to keep that alive and I think it makes me grateful for what I have now.
Aww thank you so much for sharing this beautiful glimpse into your Grandmother !! You are filled with such a wonderful spirit and I hope you had a wonderful St Patrick’s Day!!
Thank you so much Daisy! That is so nice of you to say. I hope you had a happy St. Patrick’s Day as well!
Such a lovely story, its great you know so much about her! We all need that strength and courage right now!
I agree, Betty. It is such a pinnacle time in our history.
That is so great you know the history of your family, even if it does sound rough. We can all learn and hopefully change things in our lives because of our family history. Thanks for sharing.
I have learned so much from listening to these stories and though it can be rough, it makes me grateful for what I have and also inspires me to go out there and try to affect change.
What a wonderful family story! Hold on tight to that and always share it.
Thanks Jen! I will. I appreciate you stopping by FK&Co.
Your great grandmother was such a brave woman, no wonders you are proud of her
Thank you for saying that, Paula. She was and she inspires me to stay strong.
Such a neat story, thanks for sharing! My dad’s side of the family is very British – we have it traced back to the 1500s and even have a copy of the original family crest.
That is amazing! Any royalty in there? I feel like everyone has a bit of royalty in them if they can trace it back that far.
Ah – the stories that the past could tell. I have Irish ancestry and am proud of it and think we can learn a lot about some of the hard things they had to endure.
You have the perfect last name for your Irish Heritage! Where is your family from? We’re from County Cork.
I love hearing stories like these. I’m Irish myself, so I like to celebrate too. I think it’s so fun learning about heritages.
Thank you so much! What part of Ireland is your family from?
It’s always great to learn the history of our ancestors. My father and grandfather were Irish. I travel to Ireland a lot. A beautiful country.
I have never been and I would love to go! I still have family in County Cork. Where is your family from?
It’s amazing what our ancestors endured in search of a better life. My dad’s family came over from Czechoslovakia – my great grandfather came when he was around 10 years old – with five other siblings and his dad. Their mom died before they came over and their dad died within a year. I can’t imagine how a family of 6 kids 18 years old down to 6 made it in a new land especially when they didn’t speak the language! They most definitely were strong and courageous!
That is such a story of strength, Melissa! I appreciate you sharing that with me. Have you ever been to the Czech Republic? I went a few years ago and it is so beautiful but I understand that is very different from what happened a long time ago.
What an amazing family story! Your granmmother was so brave and a strong lady. It is not easy to living your country to start a new life, raising kid/kids in another country. I know because I did it. I moved to New York from Turkey 17 years ago. I was lucky that my husband with me. 🍀
Yonca I am in awe of you! That must have been so difficult, even with a partner to help. I don’t think I could ever be that brave and I so admire your courage.
You must be really proud of your great grandmother. She is indeed courageous. She wasn’t startled even if she was molested. But her bravery to fight live is what makes me salute her.
Thank you so much for saying that. I really appreciate your kind words.
I love this holiday because of my Irish blood as well. However, I am not aware of any of my family going through what yours did.
I am sure that if you go back far enough someone in your family had it rough. What part of Ireland is your family from?
Wow, it sounds like your grandmother was a strong woman. However, it also sounds like she had to be to survive.
It was definitely a do or die situation. I really don’t know how she did it!
While some families have been here for many generations, all eight of my great grandparents immigrated to the US. Most of them did not talk about their past or early years here in this country. You are fortunate that yours did.
It take so much courage to leave your home country and move somewhere completely new and foreign. I really respect for great grandparents for that.
It is so great to read about an inspiring woman like your great grandmother. She must have been a formidable lady 🙂
From what I hear she was very formidable. Thank you so much for your kind comments!
This is such a great tribute to your grandma. It sounds that your grandma is the best of all, strong and brave.
She was a very strong woman. Thank you so much for saying that.
Your great grandmother was definitely a strong lady…we might immigrate to other country may be for any reason..but finding roots or visiting your hometown is really a great feeling…Any day or celebration humanity is a major religion..Give Respect !!!!
Love your way of thinking – thanks for your comment!
The bravery of our immigrant ancestors is inspiring. Thank you for sharing this story!
Thank you so much for saying that. I really appreciate it and thank you for reading!
Your grandma is a strong and courageous lady and you are so lucky to have her. I love grandmas they always have genuine stories. Now am missing mine.
Thank you so much for your kind words. She was something!
I am also named after my great-grandmother. I love that you shared this. It is so important to remember those who came before us and what they went through so we can be where we are today.
And you have such a pretty name! Coralie is classic and unique at the same time. Thank you so much for your kind words!
This is probably the first year that I barely heard much about st Patrick’s day. It was cool to read this one.