Exhibit will highlight history, ministry of women religious in U.S.

Published: 2006-08-15

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Leadership Conference of Women Religious is putting together an exhibit titled "Pioneers, Poets and Prophets" to tell the story of the impact more than 220,000 women religious have had on America since before it was an independent nation. In 1727, the first missionaries, nine Ursuline sisters, arrived in New Orleans from France. Sister Carole Shinnick, a School Sister of Notre Dame and LCWR's executive director, said the exhibit will "educate and celebrate" and also refute stereotypes some people have about nuns. She said it will educate people, for example, about the brave missionaries who helped shape the United States, the sisters who have been leaders in the women's rights movement and those who are advocates for the poor. "Fewer and fewer persons have direct experiences with religious. When you don't know the information, stereotypes arise. We hope to address stereotypes (about sisters)," Sister Carole said in an interview with Catholic News Service. Sister Carole also said the exhibit will emphasize "vocation as a call, not just a career," but a life "rooted in faith."

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