“As a black Catholic and as a woman religious, I have often experienced being either ‘the first’ or ‘the only’ in any given situation.” -Sister Cora Marie Billings, RSM (’67 CLAS)

Sister Cora Marie Billings, RSM (’67 CLAS) celebrated her 80th birthday last month. As part of Villanova University’s Black History Month celebration, Sister Cora met with the Villanova community on Monday, Feb. 4. In her talk, she shared her experience as the first black woman accepted into the Religious Sisters of Mercy in Philadelphia as well as the historically white sisterhood in the archdioceses. She went on to become the first black sister to teach in a Philadelphia diocesan school and the first African American nun in the nation to serve as a pastoral coordinator.

Throughout the month of February, Villanova students, faculty, and staff have signed multiple birthday cards for Sister Cora. Thank you to everyone that participated – The library has sent your warm wishes to Sister Cora!