Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters In America

January 24, 2012 – June 3, 2012

Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters In America reveals the history of a small group of independent American women who helped shape the nation’s social and cultural landscape. Over the last 300 years, the sisters built and managed schools, hospitals, orphanages and other social institutions that have endured during eras when most women had few — if any — professional opportunities.

As inspirational trailblazers, they corresponded with President Thomas Jefferson, talked down bandits and roughnecks in the Wild West and provided the first form of health insurance to Midwestern loggers. As an overlooked part of history, they played instrumental roles in significant American turning points — from the Civil War, Gold Rush and San Francisco Earthquake to the Depression, Civil Rights Movement and Hurricane Katrina.

An adjoining installation features the history of a group of California sisters who came to San Francisco in 1851 and became pioneers in quality, affordable child care in 1878, long before its existence today.

To learn more, visit the national touring exhibition web site WomenandSpirit.org. Sponsored by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in association with Cincinnati Museum Center.

Media, please visit the online press center for California exhibit materials including image gallery and media kit.