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In Her Shoes: Women of the Eighth: A Memoir and Anthology
In early 2018 the Facebook page In Her Shoes – Women of the Eighth began as an art project with the intention to change undecided voters’ minds in the upcoming referendum on the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution. The grassroots project posted anonymous stories of the negative impacts of the Eighth Amendment alongside a simple photo of a pair of shoes. In the five months from its creation to the referendum vote on 25 May 2018, the page grew over 115,000 followers with an organic reader reach of over four million per week. RTÉ reported that it was ‘stories in the media’ that influenced 43 per cent of voters to vote Yes.
Out of the thousand stories sent to In Her Shoes, Erin Darcy has selected thirty-two as a representation of the entire island of Ireland. The anonymous stories are reproduced with their authors’ consent and remain in their original words. By preserving these stories within this book, we enshrine women’s experiences in history where are often written out. In Her Shoes is the story of a changing social landscape, of an uprising within the author and within Ireland.
Fully illustrated by the author, this book will speak to the historical importance of women’s storytelling and include a collection of 32 stories, representing the 32 counties on the island of Ireland.
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2020
12 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 6, 2020
This book is so important. It will break your heart as you anxiously travel to the states with Erin, on a boat or plane to the UK with so many women, or desperately to Northern Ireland. And then it will overwhelm your heart with admiration to see what these amazing, badass activists have done for the people of Ireland. Thank you for these stories.
September 6, 2020
This book is really important to all the people of Ireland who were both directly and indirectly affected by the 8th ammendment. Whilst most people believed it was only about making abortion available in Ireland it was soon apparent that it wss about so much more. The grassroots in her shoes project allowed people to share their stories and their experiences of living in Ireland during the imposition of the 8th ammendment. These women and men were you and I.
This gorgeous book is an important piece of history. It portrays the author's journey from becoming an activist around womens rights to setting up the in her shoes facebook page. It contains 32 (representing each of the counties in Ireland) very different stories, as shared by people like you and I.
It is beautfully written and illustrated and it takes you on a journey through a very nervous start to a resounding victory for the right to choose.
The whole book will be an important resource for countries still struggling with similar constraints and should be on everyone christmas wish list.
A very easy 5 stars
This gorgeous book is an important piece of history. It portrays the author's journey from becoming an activist around womens rights to setting up the in her shoes facebook page. It contains 32 (representing each of the counties in Ireland) very different stories, as shared by people like you and I.
It is beautfully written and illustrated and it takes you on a journey through a very nervous start to a resounding victory for the right to choose.
The whole book will be an important resource for countries still struggling with similar constraints and should be on everyone christmas wish list.
A very easy 5 stars
November 27, 2020
This book. This beautiful book. The author's style of writing is just magical, despite the difficult topics she was dealing with. Her descriptions of love, and grief, and everything in between.... I truly adored it.
The 32 stories were different, written by 32 women from around Ireland. They were hard to read, some desperately sad, some enraging, some shocking. But also magnetic, I needed to read them all.
This book is so important, a significant part of our history. Hopefully a part that is over and done with. Everyone should read this.
The 32 stories were different, written by 32 women from around Ireland. They were hard to read, some desperately sad, some enraging, some shocking. But also magnetic, I needed to read them all.
This book is so important, a significant part of our history. Hopefully a part that is over and done with. Everyone should read this.
September 26, 2020
Heart wrenching, honest and powerful, the women of Ireland owe a debt of gratitude to all who generously shared their stories, this is a wonderful archive of 32 of those stories. Get a copy.
September 5, 2020
A heartfelt tale of how the In Her Shoes movement came to be. It's soft and warm and will bring you right back to the days of repeal, of why we fought and how we won. The true story of the strongest grassroots movement ever to impact the Irish constitution.
January 17, 2021
Everyone needs to read this book; to understand how unfairly women/girls were treated and still are - why we had to vote for something that should just be an Option/Decision we each could make, for us all. The 32 stories, every one different but every one giving us more knowledge that it wasn’t right and how each person gave a piece of their life to ensure we voted’YES’. I hadn’t read the Facebook or known anything about it, the stories and Erins own story I think needs to be something we all read as women to support each other and not be ashamed of anything and understand what happens/still is. I love the ‘in her shoes’; symbolism of the book as you can feel the pain, sadness, anger throughout the book. This is a part of our history and life, a book to be kept and shared; to remind one another why we voted Yes and why we still need to ensure abortions are discussed and accepted, to ensure the regulations change and evolve for the better.
September 20, 2020
I'm still reeling from the impact of this book. An essential read if you want to understand how women's bodies can be policed and the impact it has on their lives, their families and their country. I was really taken in by Erin's beautiful telling of her story, and what brought her to create In Her Shoes. The writing is profoundly personal and also poetic in its style. I expected to need to take time to read the book, but her story of losing her mother, coming to activism, followed by burnout and depression really made it hard to put the book down. It's like reading these women's diaries, and the stories they tell are vital.
September 19, 2020
This book should be in every library in Ireland. This is our past, our present and now we won't forget it. In honoring these 32 stories Autor has created a historical account of the lives and struggles of women in Ireland in the 21st century. Its so beautiful set within the Autors own story of love, loss, immigration and family. The illustrations are incredibly beautiful and tell a tale all on their own. Cannot recommend this book enough!!!!
September 19, 2020
Stunningly beautiful memoir and collection of stories from women in Ireland affected by the eighth amendment. The book is a testament to the power of personal stories in helping to change minds and, indeed, the world.
November 8, 2020
This book is an incredible read. It is heartbreaking and soul destroying to read. To envision the suffering of thousands of women before me in Ireland.
I followed In Her Shoes on Facebook and felt like I read and shared every story in the hopes that something, anything would get through to those that felt so strongly in their bigot beliefs, that felt women didn’t deserve bodily autonomy.
This book brought straight back to that time of unsureness and fear. It also brought me face to face with my own demons, my story I never felt I could shared. We repealed the 8th Amendment, WE REPEALED IT!! I had to keep telling myself this as I read this book through tears.
This book is so incredibly important. Erin Darcy and everyone involved did an amazing job and I will forever be grateful to those who worked tirelessly for the women of Ireland. Give it a read, share this book.
I followed In Her Shoes on Facebook and felt like I read and shared every story in the hopes that something, anything would get through to those that felt so strongly in their bigot beliefs, that felt women didn’t deserve bodily autonomy.
This book brought straight back to that time of unsureness and fear. It also brought me face to face with my own demons, my story I never felt I could shared. We repealed the 8th Amendment, WE REPEALED IT!! I had to keep telling myself this as I read this book through tears.
This book is so incredibly important. Erin Darcy and everyone involved did an amazing job and I will forever be grateful to those who worked tirelessly for the women of Ireland. Give it a read, share this book.
September 22, 2020
This is such an important book. For far too long the lives and stories of women who had to make incredibly difficult decisions were unseen and hidden against a background of shame and stigma. Our stories matter and In Her Shoes provided a safe space for these stories to be told. This book broke my heart all over again, the stories are painful and resonate. We owe so much to all the women who shared them and to Erin Darcy for so carefully and sensitively curating them and bringing them to us.
October 13, 2020
This book is like a little compilation on humanity and it did exactly what I was afraid it would do... I cried my way through....but it also made me hopeful and proud and full of admiration for their bravery in telling their story. It's about the courage and strength of ordinary people, about the judgement and shame we throw at each other, and about standing up and speaking out. Fair dues to the women who ran the fb page and read through the stories month after month. I wasn't able to sleep the night I finished the book so I don't know how you guys ever slept. Read it, buy it for your children and your friends and your not so friends. I dare you not to cry.
September 22, 2020
This book is a beautiful, heart breaking and very important work. Beautifully written, Erin Darcy tells stories of fear, sadness and loss. She writes with such honesty, such emotion and such empathy. While being a mother herself, she was able to put herself into the shoes of these women, who were faced with an unwanted or medically challenging pregnancy, with no options. Erin wore each of these ladies' shoes for a while, walking their path. With her tenacity and courage, she took on a fight for women of the eighth & for women everywhere.
This is a book to be read and re-read.
This is a book to be read and re-read.
October 2, 2020
"Where you stand depends on where you sit". -Miles Law
How true a statement. How validating it is for our own experiences. But also, how powerful it is if we take it as a call to shift our perspective a bit, to willingly sit in a different seat and take in the view. What would be revealed? What would we learn? What could become possible? In this case, how would it feel to put ourselves "In Her Shoes"?
.
These are stories of women, of motherhood, of strife, of coming out of the shadows to fight for women's rights and autonomy. Friends, this is an invitation and opportunity to hold space with women and their stories that reveal the stigmatized issue of abortion as being far more nuanced than we like to acknowledge. I respect the wide range of opinions on this issue because it is no doubt very complicated, and I'm not here to tell you which stance you should take. I do feel though that we do women, and the children they carry, a major disservice when we refuse to listen to the vast range of experiences and implications that rest under the umbrella of this issue. This is about so much more than birth, and this book shares a glimpse of a powerful movement that extends far, far beyond these pages. I highly encourage taking the time to listen and read. To simply be open to these brave stories and experiences that are sacred and delicate, and to handle them as so.
.
Erin (the author/curator) is a beautiful soul I had the privilege of being acquainted with through our high school art class. I didn't know much about her at the time except for her art, but she was the artist we all aspired to be like. The artist we marveled at. The artist whose talent made us certain that she would go on to do something amazing, and she's done exactly that. She's not only done something remarkable (and historical!) with this movement, but she continues to graciously gift the world with her art, her stunning and honest writing, and her heart. She has been a personal source of great inspiration for me as a mother, a daughter, and a woman, and I am forever blessed by her wisdom. I know you will be, too.
How true a statement. How validating it is for our own experiences. But also, how powerful it is if we take it as a call to shift our perspective a bit, to willingly sit in a different seat and take in the view. What would be revealed? What would we learn? What could become possible? In this case, how would it feel to put ourselves "In Her Shoes"?
.
These are stories of women, of motherhood, of strife, of coming out of the shadows to fight for women's rights and autonomy. Friends, this is an invitation and opportunity to hold space with women and their stories that reveal the stigmatized issue of abortion as being far more nuanced than we like to acknowledge. I respect the wide range of opinions on this issue because it is no doubt very complicated, and I'm not here to tell you which stance you should take. I do feel though that we do women, and the children they carry, a major disservice when we refuse to listen to the vast range of experiences and implications that rest under the umbrella of this issue. This is about so much more than birth, and this book shares a glimpse of a powerful movement that extends far, far beyond these pages. I highly encourage taking the time to listen and read. To simply be open to these brave stories and experiences that are sacred and delicate, and to handle them as so.
.
Erin (the author/curator) is a beautiful soul I had the privilege of being acquainted with through our high school art class. I didn't know much about her at the time except for her art, but she was the artist we all aspired to be like. The artist we marveled at. The artist whose talent made us certain that she would go on to do something amazing, and she's done exactly that. She's not only done something remarkable (and historical!) with this movement, but she continues to graciously gift the world with her art, her stunning and honest writing, and her heart. She has been a personal source of great inspiration for me as a mother, a daughter, and a woman, and I am forever blessed by her wisdom. I know you will be, too.
February 18, 2021
I thought this book would just be about the Repeal campaign however it is much more personal than that. The author encapsulates the mood of the time but in an intimate way.
I loved this book for its perspective of the campaign through the eyes of the author. Her story is beautifully written, interwoven with details of her personal journey, I was hooked from the start. Its raw, honest, emotional and so powerful.
The 32 women's stories follow after the authors story and that really resonated with me. Even if you had never experienced that particular aspect of the 8th amendment you could still put yourself "in her shoes".
I feel like this book is part of our living history. It documents the women of Irelands lived experience and is so important in recording a huge social movement from the perspective of those who are so often left out of history.
The illustrations and flourishes throughout are just the right amount and really add to the stories.
I cannot recommend it enough. Everyone should read it, so we don't forget.
I loved this book for its perspective of the campaign through the eyes of the author. Her story is beautifully written, interwoven with details of her personal journey, I was hooked from the start. Its raw, honest, emotional and so powerful.
The 32 women's stories follow after the authors story and that really resonated with me. Even if you had never experienced that particular aspect of the 8th amendment you could still put yourself "in her shoes".
I feel like this book is part of our living history. It documents the women of Irelands lived experience and is so important in recording a huge social movement from the perspective of those who are so often left out of history.
The illustrations and flourishes throughout are just the right amount and really add to the stories.
I cannot recommend it enough. Everyone should read it, so we don't forget.
September 19, 2020
I got this in America and I read it in two days. I probably would have read it faster if I didn’t have to work. . I couldn’t put it down. It is one of the most profound things I have ever read. I have always been pro-choice. While I’ve always fought for choice and been terrified that Roe vs. Wade would be repealed, I never truly knew how terrifying that reality would look. I had no idea how things were in Ireland. But I am so saddened to hear how it was and now far they still have to come . Thank you for writing this. Thank you for sharing this message with the world. I think every woman in America needs to read this. To see what banning abortion will make our country become. Thank you, thank you, thank you. This book has ignited a fire in me. A fire to get out there to protect other women’s right to autonomy, in anyway I can. Your words and hard work, the stories of the women of Ireland will stay in my heart and mind forever.
September 19, 2020
I knew the 32 stories would be excellent, honest and painful, but Erin's story is also wonderfully written, truthful and amazing. I see some of me when I was a new mother in her writing. This is an important book, but also a great read
October 11, 2020
An important read for all.
32 often harrowing stories of women affected by the 8th amendment.
There are also beautiful illustrations throughout the book reflecting the In her shoes theme.
32 often harrowing stories of women affected by the 8th amendment.
There are also beautiful illustrations throughout the book reflecting the In her shoes theme.
November 26, 2020
Erin is strong and beautiful, inside and out. I followed the Facebook page from the beginning and shed many tears over the heartbreaking stories. These stories needed to be shared to not only help win the vote, but to show the world why having the choice is so important.
September 23, 2020
Very difficult to read sine of the sad stories but essential we never forget
January 13, 2021
This book is one that should be part of the required reading for all Secondary School students in Ireland. The sad and swept under the rug history of punishing women and avoiding scandal. This book highlights how much the Catholic Church had a hold on Ireland and how FINALLY the country is breaking free from these binds. Such a poignant collection of stories and beyond heartbreaking to read but absolutely vital.
March 30, 2021
Wow. Would give it 6 stars if i could. I followed the In Her Shoes movement from very early on, having discovered it on facebook. I shared so many of their posts in the hope of changing someone’s mind (as i was 16 and couldnt vote) and it influenced my thoughts so much. My mam gifted me this book a year ago for my birthday and I never got around to reading it until recently when i discovered Erin Darcy is due to speak to my social policy class, and I remembered it sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. This book is just so beautiful. Erin Darcy is a fantastic writer, she has a gorgeous way with words and I didnt want to put it down. The 32 women’s stories were all so unique and heartbreaking- i am so proud of these women for sharing their stories and all the other women too! Content warning for SA, r*pe, abuse & blood. I cannot recommend it enough, massive well done to Erin and all the other people involved, you truly make Ireland a better, safer place. I will keep this book forever. Thank you for creating it!
December 10, 2020
This book is so important.
Not only is it a powerful account of women's stories in their own words, and how women came together to repeal the 8th amendment, it's a love story between a girl and a boy, and that same girl and her mama, and a heart wrenching journey through grief and the turmoil that comes with it. The author takes you along on her personal journey with her descriptive and beautiful writing.
Heartbreaking, joyful, and honest, you'll find it difficult to put down!
Not only is it a powerful account of women's stories in their own words, and how women came together to repeal the 8th amendment, it's a love story between a girl and a boy, and that same girl and her mama, and a heart wrenching journey through grief and the turmoil that comes with it. The author takes you along on her personal journey with her descriptive and beautiful writing.
Heartbreaking, joyful, and honest, you'll find it difficult to put down!
August 18, 2021
Amazing book💜💜would 100% recommend
January 1, 2025
Hated the first part of the book where the tone-deaf American author had to frolick about her lovely children (completely inaproppriate in a book about abortion imho) and talked about her own life and grief unrelated to the 5th amendement (I didn't want to read a memoir, I wanted to hear about Irish Womens' stories regarding the abortion laws in Ireland), then the second part (Which is what made me pick the book up) seemed to lean heavily on Women who wanted kids but had to abort due to medical reasons. It just seemed to have a big undertone of "These are the good women and look even they support abortion even though baddddd women exist" which was weird. I fault the author for that though.
October 24, 2021
When I opened the parcel I was amazed by the weight of the book. I could almost feel the weight of the pain suffered by Irish women. I had already cried reading some of the stories. Every Irish family, at home or abroad, can relate to it. Most of us know someone "In Her Shoes" both past and present. The author very sensitively guarded their stories and carefully represented every County in Ireland. An unbelievable tribute to the all the ladies and a priceless archive for future generations.
June 17, 2021
Powerful , wow
December 30, 2021
The stories of 32 women and girls impacted in some way by Ireland's anti-abortion laws. Desperately sad, and impossible to read without feeling such rage at the appalling way women were treated - made to feel shame, forced to travel alone for terminations, denied life-saving healthcare. So proud of all of these women for sharing their stories and for those who amplified them and gave them a platform.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews