Charity Speaks: New Website Features Oral Histories of Federation Sisters

Sisters of Charity Federation archivists have compiled and organized oral histories of Sisters into an interactive, searchable online digital archives. The new website is www.scfederationarchives.org.

Veronica Buchanan, Sisters of Charity archivist, says, “Charity Speaks was formed as a collaborative initiative. To our knowledge, it’s the first project of its kind to feature a collection of Sisters’ stories from a variety of communities in one digital collection.”

Casey Bowser, archivist for the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, Greensburg, Pennsylvania, adds, “These Sisters’ stories represent the breadth and depth of the legacy that is waiting to be uncovered in women religious archives. Women religious have lived deep, spiritual, fulfilling, and historic lives. The stories contained within these records encompass more than just religious life; they provide a unique window into womanhood, Catholic family life, 20th century social and political issues, regional and institutional histories, and much more.”

The oral history exhibit is designed for visitors to explore these Sisters’ stories through a variety of perspectives, including:
Women of the World (Sisters who were missionaries or entered from foreign missions);
Nursing and Healthcare Heroes (Sisters in health ministries);
Angels of Education (Sisters in teaching ministries);
The Modern Nun (Sisters who embody the post-Vatican II religious experience);
Witness to History (Sisters who had a unique story or ministerial experience).

The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati has a featured Sister in each exhibit section listed above. As a part of the collection’s format, each Community has its own tag for all of the interviews. To view the Cincinnati submissions visit: http://www.scfederationarchives.org/items/browse?tags=Sisters+of+Charity+of+Cincinnati.