How many people can name this person? Anyone?
Although there might be quite a few of you who exclaim "That's Whoopi Goldberg from the Sister Act movies!" I'm sorry to tell you but you're wrong. This is Sister Gertrude Ihenacho, a member of the Franciscan Handmaids of the Most Pure Heart of Mary, "one of only three orders of black nuns in the United States". (from the New York Daily News) A couple of years ago (2014) the nuns thought they would have to close the order, but after a renewed marketing effort they were able to keep it going; something that was necessary since they are there to serve the poor community around them. That is what this order is dedicated to, helping others.
"The Franciscan order has always been committed to helping the poor — but now that mission is firmly tied to social justice as well.“We seek out those whose rights are being denied. Everyone has rights to the basic needs of life, rights to food, rights to housing, water, many things. There are some in the land of plenty who are hungry. They shouldn't be,” Ihenacho added."(from the New York Daily News)
The Franciscan Handmaids of the Most Pure Heart of Mary will celebrate 100 years of helping the poor, the elderly, the children and the disabled on this day, March 29, 2016. In 1916 they formed in Savannah, Georgia because of a segregationist law that said whites could not teach religion to blacks. In 1923 the order moved to Harlem, and has been there ever since.
If you'd like to read the complete article, click here.
To read more about the order their website is here at Passion for Social Justice
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