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AAUW members honor Ursuline Sisters who broke barriers

Members of the Owensboro Chapter of the American Association of University Women came to the Mount Saint Joseph Cemetery on March 15, 2023, to celebrate Women’s History Month by placing flags on the tombstones of Ursuline Sisters who broke barriers.

The members also place flags in Elmwood Cemetery in Owensboro. “We need to keep these womens’ stories alive,” said Judy Adams, president of the local chapter of AAUW. Those joining Adams at Maple Mount were Edna Murphey, Aloma Dew and Merry Miller. Ursuline Sister Suzanne Sims helped the women locate some of the graves.

Just three days earlier, the AAUW honored eight local women who broke barriers and improved lives in the Owensboro community, one of whom was Sister Dianna Ortiz, the founder of the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition. Sister Dianna’s grave received a flag on March 15.

Here are some photos from the day.

The AAUW members joining Sister Suzanne Sims (second from right) in the Mount Cemetery are, from left, Edna Murphey, Aloma Dew, Judy Adams and Merry Miller.
Edna Murphey places a flag at the grave of Mother Aloysius Willett, the first mother superior who led the Ursuline Sisters to independence in 1912.
Aloma Dew places a flag on the grave of Sister Mary Michael Barrow. She was the first dean of the Mount Saint Joseph Junior College, wrote “Candles of the Lord,” the history of the first 25 years of Ursuline ministry in New Mexico, and was instrumental in opening Brescia College in Owensboro.
Edna Murphey, left, Sister Suzanne Sims, Aloma Dew and Merry Miller gather around the grave of Sister Dianna Ortiz, who died two years ago in February.
Judy Adams views the grave of Sister Johanna Froeba after placing a flag next to her head stone. Sister Joanna was one of the five pioneer Ursulines who traveled by flatboat down the Ohio River from Louisville to open Mount Saint Joseph Academy in 1874.
Edna Murphey places a flag on the grave of Sister Joan Marie Lechner, the first resident president of Brescia College in Owensboro.
Aloma Dew places a flag on the grave of Sister Francesca Hazel, as Sister Suzanne Sims, left, and Judy Adams discuss her. Sister Francesca founded the Contemporary Woman Program at Brescia College, one of the first programs in the country to focus on helping women value themselves.
Edna Murphey places a flag on the grave of Sister Marita Greenwell, who took over the Contemporary Woman Program at Brescia College and led it from 1973-2005.
Judy Adams places a flag on the grave of Sister Joseph Angela Boone. Among her many accomplishments, Sister Joseph Angela was one of the few women in the country to be named chancellor of a diocese, which she did for the Diocese of Owensboro.
Edna Murphey honors Sister Anne Louise Ramold with a flag. Sister Anne Louise began the sociology department at Brescia College and led it for 24 years. She made concern for the poor a hallmark of her tenure at Brescia, where she began the Ozanam Club to serve those in poverty, honoring its namesake, Frédéric Ozanam, who founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

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