The clinic was in operation for them and many other mothers too poor to go elsewhere.  The clinic served over 100 mothers a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 

The mothers that lived at St. Vincent were not allowed to go to school and used an alias name to protect their identity.  They worked in the laundry room where over 3,000 diapers were washed daily.  Other jobs included housekeeping, secretarial, nursing, switchboard operator and clerical work.  The girls led private lives. 

Catholic Charities referred them and the clinic housed about 30 girls at a time.  They received counseling and support from the housemother and Father Coughlin, the chaplain , who threw them small dinner parties to cheer them up.

Letter from a Mother

Nona Murphy

    I gave birth to a baby girl on January 1, 1966 at the University of Illinois hospital, my third child.  Her name was Natalie.  She weighed 8 lbs. and 3 ounces.  I loved her and wanted to keep her.  I was a single parent and had to work.  I did this for one year and finally realized that I could not do it and that it was not fair to this baby or my other two young children.  I was so poor and behind in bills that in January of 1967, I made the decision to give Natalie up for adoption and took a cab down to St. Vincent's.

    it was the hardest thing I ever had to do.  I remember bringing her down to St. Vincent's in the cold.  I dressed her in a little pink snowsuit and only had a bottle of sugar water for her.  Mrs. O'Toole handled the case and said that at 18 years old, the girl, Natalie, could know who her real mother was and that the records would be opened.  My daughter had webbed middle toes on each foot.  I want to find her, only to tell her that I gave her up because I LOVED her, not because I did not want her.  I wanted her to have a life and a chance.  I have always loved her and have never forgotten her.