An exhibit titled “Faith, Race, and Sisterhood: Lessons in Civic Empathy from the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill” was blessed by members of the Sisters of Charity and Seton Hill University during a ceremony April 15.

Curated by Casey Bowser, archivist for the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill and Seton Hill University, assisted by Sr. Louise Grundish, archivist emeritus for the Sisters, the exhibit showcases decades of work with marginalized communities by the Sisters of Charity.

Highlights of the exhibit include the relationship between the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill and the Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans, the Sisters of Charity’s work in the Hill District of Pittsburgh and mission to support Black families, travels to war-torn Korea in 1960 and later establishment of a religious community, and the work of Sister Francis Assisi to establish the Ozanam Strings, a school of music and performance group for inner-city children.

Especially relevant to Seton Hill is the work of Sister Lois Sculco, who began teaching Seton Hill students about experiences of other races through literature in 1967. Her role evolved over her 50 years at Seton Hill and included service as the administrator for the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education, Vice President for Mission and Student Life, and the institution’s first Affirmative Action Officer.