By Michael Motes

A long-time resident of Atlanta has been appointed the first woman administrator in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Maryland.

Sister Sharon Euart, RSM, is in an internship with five organizational units which comprise the central services administration of the archdiocese.

Her appointment, announced by Archbishop William Borders, is "the first step in plans to bring women into Church leadership positions in Baltimore," according to an archdiocesan release.

Born in Rhode Island, Sister Sharon and her family moved to Atlanta 21 years ago. She graduated from Our Lady of the Assumption Elementary School and was in the first full-term graduating class from St. Pius X High School in 1962. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Euart, members of OLA parish.

Sister Sharon graduated from Mt. St. Agnes in 1966. She entered the Sisters of Mercy 11 years ago and has earned both an MLA and master's degree in administration and supervision at Johns Hopkins University.

She is currently working with Father Canice Connors, OFM, Secretary of Planning and Management for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Calling the program "a feasibility study," Sister Sharon considers her internship a sign of change and a "beginning for future growth." She maintains, however, that she sees "no relationship between the internship program and the current issue of women in the priesthood."

Her new position is "intended to provide a career path for women who are interested in high-level Church administration positions until now held only by ordained clergy," according to Archbishop Borders' announcement.

In addition, "elements of institutional sexism will be identified and addressed by the program,"

Sister Sharon will not only receive on-the-job training during her year of internship, but will earn advanced graduate credits for her work at Loyola College, which provides the academic content and background for the program.

"The program," Sister Sharon feels, "will provide broader opportunities for women to serve in existing Church administrative posts and demonstrate that women's skills, in addition to men's, are essential to the mission and ministries of the Church in Baltimore."

Prior to her appointment, Sister Sharon was assistant principal at Mercy High School in Baltimore and has also served at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart School and worked at Villa Maria and Stella Maris Hospice.