Thea Bowman
Encyclopedia
Sister Thea Bowman, F.S.P.A.
, (December 29, 1937 – March 30, 1990) was a Roman Catholic Religious Sister
, teacher, and scholar.
, she converted to the Roman Catholic Church
, during her childhood, and joined the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
at La Crosse, Wisconsin
, where she attended Viterbo University
. She also attended Catholic University of America and Boston College
, where she was a scholar of William Faulkner
. She taught elementary school in La Crosse, Wisconsin
and high school in Canton, Mississippi
. Bowman also taught in colleges at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., Xavier University
in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Viterbo College in La Crosse.
to her fellow African-Americans. She began to give inspirational talks to Black congregations and found a tremendous response by the people to whom she spoke. Even after she developed cancer, she continued to speak to religious groups, becoming a model of hope and faith.
Later she appeared on 60 Minutes
with Mike Wallace
. She told Wallace on 60 Minutes
that:
. Less than a week before her death it was announced by the University of Notre Dame
that they would award Sister Thea the 1990 Laetare Medal
. It was presented posthumously at the 1990 commencement exercises.
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration is a Roman Catholic religious congregation for women whose motherhouse, St. Rose of Viterbo Convent, is in La Crosse, Wisconsin in the Diocese of La Crosse. The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration founded Viterbo University and staffed Aquinas...
, (December 29, 1937 – March 30, 1990) was a Roman Catholic Religious Sister
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
, teacher, and scholar.
Life
Born as Bertha Bowman in Yazoo City, MississippiYazoo City, Mississippi
Yazoo City is a city in Yazoo County, Mississippi, United States. It was named after the Yazoo River, which, in turn was named by the French explorer Robert La Salle. It is the county seat of Yazoo County and the principal city of the Yazoo City Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the...
, she converted to the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, during her childhood, and joined the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration is a Roman Catholic religious congregation for women whose motherhouse, St. Rose of Viterbo Convent, is in La Crosse, Wisconsin in the Diocese of La Crosse. The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration founded Viterbo University and staffed Aquinas...
at La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse is a city in and the county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The city lies alongside the Mississippi River.The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 52,485...
, where she attended Viterbo University
Viterbo University
Viterbo University is a Roman Catholic liberal arts university located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States in the Diocese of La Crosse.-History:...
. She also attended Catholic University of America and Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
, where she was a scholar of William Faulkner
William Faulkner
William Cuthbert Faulkner was an American writer from Oxford, Mississippi. Faulkner worked in a variety of media; he wrote novels, short stories, a play, poetry, essays and screenplays during his career...
. She taught elementary school in La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse is a city in and the county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The city lies alongside the Mississippi River.The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 52,485...
and high school in Canton, Mississippi
Canton, Mississippi
Canton is a city in Madison County, Mississippi. The population was 12,911 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Madison County, and situated in the northern part of the metropolitan area surrounding the state capital, Jackson....
. Bowman also taught in colleges at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., Xavier University
Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana , located in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the United States, is a private, coeducational, liberal arts college with the distinction of being the only historically black Roman Catholic institution of higher education...
in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Viterbo College in La Crosse.
Public speaking
After a career of years involved in education, Bowman became more involved with ministryChristian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
to her fellow African-Americans. She began to give inspirational talks to Black congregations and found a tremendous response by the people to whom she spoke. Even after she developed cancer, she continued to speak to religious groups, becoming a model of hope and faith.
Later she appeared on 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
with Mike Wallace
Mike Wallace (journalist)
Myron Leon "Mike" Wallace is an American journalist, former game show host, actor and media personality. During his 60+ year career, he has interviewed a wide range of prominent newsmakers....
. She told Wallace on 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
that:
"I think the difference between me and some people is that I'm content to do my little bit. Sometimes people think they have to do big things in order to make change. But if each one would light a candle we'd have a tremendous light".
Death
Sister Thea died of cancer in 1990, aged 52, in Canton, MississippiCanton, Mississippi
Canton is a city in Madison County, Mississippi. The population was 12,911 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Madison County, and situated in the northern part of the metropolitan area surrounding the state capital, Jackson....
. Less than a week before her death it was announced by the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
that they would award Sister Thea the 1990 Laetare Medal
Laetare Medal
The Laetare Medal is an annual award given by the University of Notre Dame in recognition of outstanding service to the Roman Catholic church and society...
. It was presented posthumously at the 1990 commencement exercises.
Published works
- Thea's Song: The Life of Thea Bowman by Charlene Smith and John Feister (Orbis Books, January 2010) Full-length biography containing first-published interviews of Thea and her friends, history, letters and photos.
- Cepress, Sr. Celestine, FSPA (ed.), Sister Thea Bowman, Shooting Star; selected writings and speeches, La Crosse, Wisconsin, FSPA (1999)
- Bowman, Sr. Thea, Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual AdorationFranciscan Sisters of Perpetual AdorationThe Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration is a Roman Catholic religious congregation for women whose motherhouse, St. Rose of Viterbo Convent, is in La Crosse, Wisconsin in the Diocese of La Crosse. The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration founded Viterbo University and staffed Aquinas...
, Families, Black and Catholic, Catholic and Black (1985) - Bowman, Sr. Thea, Thea Bowman: In My Own Words; ISBN 978-0-7648-1782-3; edited by Maurice J. Nutt (Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO (2009); index of Bowman's speeches, writings, interviews with a brief biographical sketch and epilogue
Legacy
- Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School
- Xavier University of LouisianaXavier University of LouisianaXavier University of Louisiana , located in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the United States, is a private, coeducational, liberal arts college with the distinction of being the only historically black Roman Catholic institution of higher education...
's Institute for Black Catholic Studies.