The Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Educational Foundation
"I don't think it starts in church. I think it starts outside of church when we love one another, when we become friends and we can walk hand in hand into the house of the Lord and celebrate. But to me to pray together when our hearts are not one, when we are not at least trying to bridge the gaps, is sacriledge."
Sr. Thea: Her Own Story
MISSION AND PURPOSE OF THE FOUNDATION To establish the means by which to rekindle and enliven the hope and opportunities which Catholic Schools can offer to black children. The foundation is the fitting legacy of Sister Thea Bowman, the black woman Religious who, before her untimely death in 1990, so inspired Catholics and non-Catholics alike with her urgent and uplifting call for better education for black children.
The concern of the Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Educational Foundation is for black children who have been conditioned by poverty and oppression which, according to social scientists, contribute not only to death of the body, but also to death of the spirit.
The educational system has failed the child of poverty. In 1954, Brown vs. Board of Education theoretically broke down the walls which withheld from black children the opportunity for equal education.
But far too many black children are still excluded from educational opportunity today, over 40 years later. Too often they are judged inferior in their ability to learn and to achieve. Too often their potential is stifled by underfinanced, under-resourced, inadequately staffed schools, and by politics and policies of discrimination.
It is time for a new beginning.
As children of God, as our children, each child must be provided with a quality value-based education. The Catholic schools of this country, at this time in our history, can and must provide education to economically disadvantaged children of the black community.
It is, therefore, the mission and purpose of the sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Educational Foundation to establish the means by which to rekindle and enliven the hope and the opportunities which Catholic schools can offer to black shildren. The foundation is the fitting legacy of Sister thea Bowman the black woman Religious who, before her untimely death in 1990, so inspired Catholics and non-Catholics alike with her urgent and uplifting call for better education for black children.
Seventy-five African American students assisted by the Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Educational Foundation have already completed degrees at Catholic colleges. Students enroll at such schools as Boston College in Boston, Mass.; St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vt.; Xavier University in New Orleans, La.; Catholic University in Washington, D.C.; Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa.; the Univerity of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.; The University of Dayton, Seton Hall; and The University of St. Francis in Loretto.
Presently, the Foundation supports five African-American single mothers with their children at College of St. Mary, Omaha, Nebraska. The students are from: Saginaw, Michigan, Memphis, Tennessee, Baltimore, Maryland, Kansas City, Kansas, and Tucson, Arizona.
Sister Thea's Life
1937 Bertha Bowman is born to Mary Esther (Coleman), a teacher, and Theon Edward Bowman, a doctor in Yazoo City, Mississippi.
1947 Bertha is baptized into the Catholic Church by Father Justin Furman, ST, and makes her first communion.
1953 Bertha enters the Franciscan Sisters' community in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
1955 Having contacted tuberculosis, Bertha spends the year recovering at River Pines Sanatorium in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
1956 She commences her novitiate years, taking the name Sister Thea, which means "of God."
1961 Sister Thea teaches English and music at Holy Child Jesus Catholic High School in Canton, Mississippi.
1968 Sister Thea undertakes graduate studies in English at Catholic University in America.
1972 During a summer at Oxford Sister Thea studied and traveled Europe. She began teaching at Vitebro College in La Crosse, where she chairs the English Department, and directs the Hallelujah Singers.
1980 Sister Thea helps found the Institute of Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Oreleans, being a faculty member.
1983 Sister Thea received the Brother James Miller, FSC Award.
1984 In a very difficult year, Sister Thea is diagnosed with Breast Cancer and her parents die, but Sister Thea continues a very active schedule of speaking engagements, teaching, and performing.
1985 Sister Thea travels to Forth-third International Eucharistic Congress in Nairobi, Kenya. Because of Sister Thea's good work, she received the Harriet Tubman Award given by the National Black Sisters. She also received Pope John Paul XXIII Award from Viterbo College.
1987 "60 Minutes" aired an interview between Mike Wallace and Sister Thea.
1988 Sister Thea received more awards. Regis College, Clarke College, Xavier University (New Orleans), Sacred Heart University, College of Our Lady of the Elms, Boston College, Georgetown University, Saint Michael's College, Marygrove College, Viterbo College and Spring Hill College all gave her an Honorary Doctorate.Governor James Blanchard recognized Sister Thea with the G. Mennen Williams Award. Canton had declared 23 December Sister Thea Bowman Day.
1989 Sister Thea received the U.S. Catholic Award for her undeterred fight for women movement and the Bishop Carroll T. Dozier Award from the Christian Brothers College for her struggle to have peace and justice in the world.
1990 Sister Thea died on March 30. She posthumously received the Laetare Medal from Notre Dame University.
Sister Thea, the granddaughter of slaves, was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi December 29, 1937. Her parents named her Bertha. Soon after she was born the family moved to Canton.
When very young this child, impressed by the “olde folks,” began a spiritual quest that, at age 9, led her to become a Catholic. The next year her parents enrolled her at Hold Child Jesus School staffed by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. The life and work of the sister so impressed her that, at 15, she joined them by entering St. Rose Convent, LaCrosse, Wisconsin. There she was given the name Thea.
After progressing successfully through the formative years of Religious Life and the academic world, Thea received a doctorate in English literature and linguistics from Catholic University of America. During these years she developed a deep appreciation for her identity as both an African American and as a Catholic. As her mission unfolded, she celebrated the gifts of all people and encouraged black Americans to proudly celebrate their own identity.
Blessed with extraordinary talent, she became a poet, a preacher, a master teacher, a vocalist, an evangelist, and an African American catalyst. Thea eventually returned to Canton and served as director of Intercultural Awareness for the Diocese of Jackson. She was particularly successful with children and continued working and teaching in the Diocese even after being seriously impaired by cancer. After regaining a modicum of strength, she was able to travel to distant cities, reviving congregations, both large and small, with her “God-gilded voice sent dancing, swaying, sashaying into our lives. She was song. She was the joyous Franciscan always.” One who knew her well referred to Thea as the “springtime in everyone’s life.”
Her’s was the wisdom of the “olde folks:” You walk TOGETHER and you won’t get weary. You might get tired, but you won’t get weary.” Exhausted by illness and the service of others Sister Thea died in Canton March 30, 1990.
