When searching for topics for a paper in grad school, Dr. Shannen Dee Williams stumbled upon a photo from the Pittsburgh Press that was part of a 1968 article reporting about the formation of the National Black Sisters’ Conference. She was struck by the realization that it was the first time she had ever seen actual black Catholic nuns, after growing up Catholic in a southern suburb. This sparked an interest and passion, leading to extensive research, and eventually the writing of her book, Subversive Habits: Black Catholic Nuns in the Long African American Freedom Struggle.
Dr. Williams visited OLSH as part of the 2024-2025 OLSH Speaker Series, a grant-funded initiative in its second year. During the school day, she spoke to juniors and seniors about St. Martin de Porres and the stories of several black Catholic nuns who took his name. Local resident, the former Sr. Martin de Porres Grey founded the National Black Sisters’ Conference in the 1960s and was one of the many women Dr. Williams met and wrote about in her book. She gave students an overview of the challenges and hardships faced by black Catholic women throughout history in the United States.
That evening, Dr. Williams returned to OLSH to speak to attendees (which included local Catholic nuns, community members, OLSH parents, staff, alumni, and students) about her research. Dr. Williams shared the importance of looking at the history of black Catholics in the United States and in particular the way that black women who wanted to enter religious life were treated by various religious orders across the country. Dr. Williams shared numerous stories of courageous and faith-filled black women who persevered despite racism and abuse, becoming Sisters with orders like the Oblate Sisters of Divine Providence.
Dr. Williams’ book and talk bring the stories of black Catholic women in the United States to light to new audiences, inspiring listeners with their examples of faith and forgiveness, while reinforcing the value and importance of their individual stories.
Read Dr. Williams’ full biography at: https://www.shannendeewilliamsphd.com/home#about