The conversation began with an introduction from University President John Garvey, who spoke of Catholic University’s checkered history of segregation. The talk, which was held virtually, was co-sponsored by the Department of History, the School of Theology and Religious Studies, the University Libraries Special Collections, the Office of Campus Ministry, the Black Student Alliance, and the Center for Cultural Engagement. 10 during a lecture entitled, “The Real Sister Act: Why the Stories of Black Catholic Sisters Matter.” She presented her research to members of the Catholic University community Feb. Williams, who is an assistant professor of history at Villanova University, has spent much of her career researching the generations of Black Catholic women who had to fight to live out their vocations.
When it comes to the history of women’s religious orders in the United States, Shannen Dee Williams believes there is a crucial story that is often overlooked.
