Final answer:
Philomena Lee became pregnant in the early 1950s, at a time when unmarried mothers in Ireland faced great societal stigma. Her story highlights the experiences of many in the Magdalene Laundries or mother and baby homes, with her son being adopted by a family in the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
Philomena Lee became pregnant in the early 1950s. This time frame is pivotal as it sets the scene within a historical and social context that is crucial to understanding Philomena's story, which became widely known through the 2013 film 'Philomena.' At the time, unmarried mothers in Ireland faced significant societal stigma, and many were sent to so-called Magdalene Laundries or mother and baby homes.
Philomena was sent to Sean Ross Abbey in Roscrea, Ireland in 1952 after becoming pregnant out of wedlock. Her son, Anthony, was ultimately taken from her and adopted by a family in the United States, a common practice during this period in Ireland.