Sister Thea Bowman: Do You Hear Me, Church? by Peggy A. Sklar

Sister Thea Bowman (1939 –1990), a native of a small town in central Mississippi, was a well-known educator, evangelist, gifted singer, scholar, and advocate for diversity and the inclusion of African Americans and African American culture in the Catholic Church. Sister Thea faced many obstacles as a young girl growing up in the segregated South. Her story is intertwined with the disparities and injustices experienced by African Americans in Mississippi. 

Through the efforts of the missionary sisters, brothers, and priests who served in Canton, Mississippi, Sister Thea and other African American children in her community were able to obtain an education and experience the love, generosity, faith, and commitment to social justice of those who ministered in the African American church. During her time in school, she felt called to enter religious life. She chose to join the order of the sisters who staffed her school. Sister Thea was the only black sister in her order.

Sister Thea made unique contributions to the Catholic Church. Since November, 2018, her cause for sainthood is being evaluated by the U.S. bishops. Her story is unique and one that needs to be told. Many institutions bear her name.

This biography of Thea Bowman is set against the backdrop of racial discrimination in the Deep South from the 1940s and onward and brings to life the contributions of a trailblazing African American Catholic. Thoroughly researched and poignantly presented, this is an informative read for teenagers and young adults, with appeal also for any age adult readers.