Kathrine Drexel (1858 - 1955 )

Born into a wealthy banking family Kathrine was raised  in an atmosphere of generosity to others by her step mother. Dedicating herself and her inheritance to the needs of the oppressed she founded a religious community for women that combined prayer and social action. She was a vocal advocate of racial tolerance.  Ministry was focused on Native Americans and African-Americans in the western and southwestern states where  she established a religious congregation the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People. She also financed more than 60 missions and schools around the United States, as well as founding Xavier University in Louisiana the only historically Black, Roman Catholic university in the United States to date. after being slowed significantly by a heart attack Drexel was able to live the last 18 years of her life  as she desired, as a contemplative.