Former Nun Shares Life Story at Newhall Theatre
Author Kerry Dashnaw discussed her new memoir detailing her transition from religious life to teaching.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Catholicism
Former Santa Clarita Valley resident Kerry Dashnaw hosted a book talk at the Newhall Family Theatre to discuss her memoir, Yearning to be Free. The author shares experiences from her 14 years as a nun and her career as a teacher at Newhall Elementary School.
Why it matters
Dashnaw wrote the memoir because she felt a voice within her would not remain silent, offering readers an intimate look at her life journey. Her story provides insight into the transition from a cloistered life to a career in public education.
Dashnaw is the oldest of 10 children and reached 50% completion on her manuscript during her first writing attempt. The book project eventually required collaborative writing with her husband to finish the final two chapters.
The players
Kerry Dashnaw
She is a former teacher at Newhall Elementary School and a former nun who spent 14 years in religious service.
The details
To organize her narrative, Dashnaw drafted an initial outline and worked with her husband to brainstorm content for specific sentences throughout the memoir. This process transformed her internal reflections into the published book, Yearning to be Free.
Timeline
October 13, 2026: Kerry Dashnaw hosted a book talk.
Culture Shift
This memoir joins a growing cultural movement where former members of religious orders document their life transitions through personal narratives. It reflects a wider societal shift toward transparency regarding the internal experiences of individuals leaving monastic life.
Residents of Santa Clarita can access Dashnaw's insights into her 14-year religious experience through her new book, Yearning to be Free. The memoir offers a unique local perspective on the personal challenges associated with changing one's career and lifestyle.
The takeaway
Writing a memoir can be a complex process that often requires external collaboration to reach completion. Prospective authors can learn from Dashnaw by starting with a structured outline to organize their personal reflections.
Further reading
For more on local religious experiences, visit the Catholicism section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Santa Clarita Valley Signal.
