On October 28, St. Joseph’s University, New York (SJNY) invited former president of the Sisters of St. Joseph, SJNY alumna, former professor of Child Study and current member of its Board of Trustees, S. Helen Kearney ’67, CSJ, Ph.D. to deliver a lecture in the University’s Tuohy Hall Auditorium during Common Hour. The annual event is held to celebrate the founding of the University, originally established as St. Joseph’s College for Women on October 2, 1916.
The lecture began with a few words from SJNY President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., who spoke on the University’s origins and the instrumental role the Sisters of St. Joseph played as its founders. Introducing S. Kearney to the podium was Executive Dean of the Brooklyn Campus and historian, Phillip Dehne, Ph.D., who offered some insight behind Clinton Hill, the historic neighborhood that has served as St. Joseph’s University, New York’s home for more than 100 years.
Titled “Faith, Progress, and Purpose: Clinton Hill’s Gilded Age and the 1916 Founding of St. Joseph’s College,” S. Kearney’s lecture looked back on the Sisters’ longstanding history and legacy, from their arrival to the United States in 1836 to their move to Brooklyn and eventual founding of St. Joseph’s College for Women in 1916.
“They arrived in Williamsburg with $10 in cash, a five-dollar gift, four beds, one table, a few chairs, some utensils and opened a school the next day. Try that today,” S. Kearney said, speaking on the passion and fortitude of her congregation.
Board of Trustees Member S. Helen Kearney ’67, CSJ, Ph.D. and SJNY President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D.
The lecture lent historical context to the hardships young women faced in the late 19th and early 20th century regarding being giving access to educational opportunities. The Sisters, recognizing this issue, sought to provide an affordable institution of higher education while sidestepping the discriminatory practices toward women and Catholics at that time.
In attendance were fellow Sisters of St. Joseph from their campus in Brentwood, NY, University students, staff and faculty.
During the lecture, S. Kearney highlighted the Sisters’ devout dedication for teaching and education, reaffirming the University’s pillars of integrity, intellectual rigor, spiritual depth, social responsibility and service as foundational values even before establishing what would become St. Joseph’s University, New York.
“St. Joseph’s College for Women conducted its first classes in 1916 at St. Angela Hall. The first class of 12 women grew to 14 by their graduation in 1920,” S. Kearney stated. “The early years nurtured future lawyers, doctors, teachers and many other professional roles difficult for women to achieve.”
Watch S. Helen Kearney’s lecture below:
