Lessons From The Mountain

For nine seasons, Mary McDonough was part of one of the most beloved families in television history.

Just ten years-old when she was cast as the pretty, wholesome middle child Erin, Mary grew up on the set of The Waltons, alternately embracing and rebelling against her good-girl onscreen persona.

Now, as the first cast member to write about her experiences on the classic series, she candidly recounts the joys and challenges of growing up Walton - from her overnight transformation from a normal kid in a working class, Irish Catholic family, to a Hollywood child star, to the personal challenges that led her to take on a new role as an activist for women's body image issues.