A note from Sister Barbara Battista, March 13, 2024

During the summer of 1996, the Sisters of Providence committed to examining racism with the hopes of educating themselves and others.

Also, they wanted to work on changing their racist attitudes and behaviors.

During this same time, the Sisters filed a federal lawsuit based on housing discrimination. This lawsuit was on behalf of one of the African American members of the Congregation.

The money received from this lawsuit was used for educating themselves and others against racism.

A coordination committee was created and between the years of 1997 and 1999, multiple training sessions took place.

Approximately 100 vowed Sisters of Providence attended these sessions. It was after the completion of these sessions that the Sisters of Providence Anti-Racism Team was formed.

From September 2000 through February 2001, the anti-racism team underwent rigorous team training by Crossroads Ministry.

By the end of Spring 2001, the Sisters of Providence Anti-Racism Team had developed a 20-year vision, 5-year goals and 2-year goals.

That same spring, the general council approved the anti-racism plans. The Sisters of Providence Anti-Racism Team was commissioned by the entire Congregation on July 1, 2001.

I was appointed as the Justice Promoter in the fall of 2018. The Providence Community’s work around anti-racism continued but the anti-racism team itself slowly dissipated.

During the year 2020, many racial injustices were brought back to the forefront with the live Facebook feed that showed in real-time the murder of George Floyd by a police officer who was assisted by other officers.

The Providence Community’s Justice Coordinating Committee put together LGU Circle materials for Spring 2021.

At our annual meeting in June 2021, addressing racial equity and equality was voted as one of the priorities for the next five years.

Shortly after that, the Racial Equity and Equality Task Force was formed and commissioned. T-FREE, as it is called, consists of Sisters and Providence Associates.