Katharine Drexel: Educational Reformer and Institution Builder

Abstract

Amidst the racial animosity that characterized the nineteenth century, Katharine Drexel, the Philadelphia heiress, believed that education would be the equalizer between white and black America. Grounded in a strong sense of Catholic social justice, Drexel committed her fortune to providing educational opportunities that frequently eluded African Americans. She established a community of Roman Catholics nuns for that specific purpose. By combining their efforts to address the deficiencies in African American education, Drexel's religious congregation reflected the efforts of other nineteenth century groups of women who pooled their efforts to address social concerns of the larger American society.