History Pub “Sisters of the Holy Names: Serving Oregon for 150 Years”

History Pub “Sisters of the Holy Names: Serving Oregon for 150 Years” October 26

In 1859, twelve intrepid Catholic nuns arrived in Portland after a five-week journey from Quebec, Canada. Two weeks after their arrival, the Sisters of the Holy Names opened St. Mary’s Academy. They quickly built additional schools throughout the Pacific Northwest and eventually established a number of universities, including Marylhurst College. The Sisters assumed responsibility for large numbers of orphan and destitute children.  In the early 20th century, Holy Names Sisters opposed the activities of the Ku Klux Klan and helped establish fair wages for working women.

For the last 150 years, the Sisters have dedicated themselves to providing educational opportunities for all, especially disadvantaged women and children. Today, as always, the Sisters are committed to the promotion of social justice for all, including their work to end human trafficking and to promote water as a basic human right.

The program includes a presentation by Sisters Carole Strawn, Jane Hibbard, Janet Ryan and Linda Patrick and a screening of the Sisters’ pre-1950s home movies.

This free program takes place at McMenamins’ Kennedy School on October 26 at 7pm.

Karen Kinzey

Holy Names Heritage Center

503-607-0595