The Charter Class

Mother John Berchmans had a dream . . . Mother John Berchmans Somers of the Sisters of St. Joseph dreamed of establishing a college to serve the Catholic young women of western Massachusetts. With the support of Bishop Thomas O'Leary, that dream became the College of Our Lady of the Elms. In September 1928, thirty-six brave students embarked on the grand adventure of being the charter class for the new institution. In their quest to obtain a college education at a time when that was an unexpected route for young women, these students will face challenges at home, at school, and in their personal lives. Katie O'Sullivan's recently deceased mother wanted her daughter to have more opportunities in life than to become a farmer's wife, but Katie leaves for college with a heavy heart. She misses her father and the farm she left behind. Will she fulfill her mother's dying wish or will the land and animals she loves (not to mention an attractive farmhand) lead her back home? Beth Daviau wants nothing more than to escape her abusive father and college is her ticket to a better life, but to take advantage of that opportunity, she has to abandon her mother and sister. What does it mean to honor one's father and mother and can she do that while pursuing her own dreams? Vivacious Nora Walsh is eager to take on the world, but an unexpected encounter with her roommate's brother and an unfortunate illness wreak havoc with her plans, making her question everything she thought she knew about herself. Join Katie, Beth, Nora, and their classmates in their exciting first year as members of the charter class.