Today, unwed mothers account for nearly half of all births in this country. But in the not-too-distant past having a baby without being married was shameful, to yourself, your family, your church, your community. In previous generations, “nice” girls didn’t get pregnant. They were sent away to institutions dedicated to sheltering single pregnant women. They had their babies far away from prying eyes and were forced to give them up for adoption, so they could supposedly start over with a clean slate, if not a clear conscience. This moving story is told by the anonymous voices of women who suffered in silence, unspooling over images from mid-century social engineering films and documentary footage. In a day when some regard the era before easily accessible contraception as a moral golden age, take heed.  LB