Tales of MaryJoy

Author Bio

Sister Mary Joy Langdon BEM is a member of the religious congregation Infant Jesus Sisters, founded in 1662 by Father Nicolas Barré, whose mission was to transform lives through education and compassion for children.

Sister Mary Joy’s life has been one of dedicated service — to others, to nature, and to faith. In 1976, she became Britain’s first operational female firefighter, breaking new ground for women in public service. In 1989, she founded the Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre, a charity devoted to helping children through therapeutic contact with horses, which she led for 36 years.

Today, she continues her mission at Shardeloes Farm Equestrian Centre, where she serves as the lead coach for the British Horse Society’s Changing Lives Through Horses programme, empowering young people through the discipline and joy of horsemanship.

A keen gardener and vegetarian, Sister Mary Joy grows much of her own food and tends a happy flock of hens. Her deep love for the natural world often inspires her poetry, reflections, and outreach. She hopes her story will encourage others to embrace courage, compassion, and faith in their own journeys.