Sisters Of Mokama

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This compelling narrative recounts the journey of six Kentucky nuns who ventured to Bihar, India, to establish a hospital in one of the country's poorest regions. New York Times editor Jyoti Thottam's mother was among the first Indian women to train as a nurse at this groundbreaking institution, Nazareth Hospital, founded in 1947. At a time when women rarely stepped outside without male protection, she left home at just fifteen to pursue her dream. The hospital was unique, operated almost entirely by women who prioritized providing high-quality care to all, regardless of caste or religion. Thottam's exploration of Nazareth Hospital reveals the extraordinary spirit of the nuns, who, despite language barriers and the likelihood of never returning home, embodied the pioneering ethos of their Kentucky roots. Within a year of their arrival, they opened the hospital and began training young Indian women as nurses, transforming their lives. Drawing from two decades of research, Thottam shares this inspiring story for the first time, highlighting the resilience and achievements of these remarkable women—both American and Indian—who forged new paths during the tumultuous post-World War II era and the aftermath of Partition. Amidst pain and loss, they created opportunities that reshaped their futures.