Sister Delores Harrell Scholarship Awarded

Several Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur were honored to attend a reception for recipients of the Sister Delores Harrell, SNDdeN Scholarship on June 27 in Dorchester, Massachusetts. It was a joyful celebration at Saint Katharine Drexel Parish Hall, where 50 guests enjoyed a lunch, guest speakers and a raffle. Rasaun Martin and Reverend Oscar Pratt offered blessings and prayers.

Back row, left to right: Scholarship recipients Edwin Noncent and Gabriel Ugoji; front row, left to right: Sisters Monica Madden, Margaret Lanen, Rita Heywood, Joyce McMullen and Ginny Scally, SNDdeN

The highlight of the day was awarding the $1,200 scholarships, funded by the U.S. East-West Province and others, to two recipients. Gabriel Ugoji majors in Cognitive Science and Community Health at Tufts University, Class of 2029. Edwin Noncent, Mt. Carmel, attends the University of Massachusetts-Boston.

Sister Rita felt a priceless connection to the experiences of all who were present at the program honoring Sister Delores. “Guest speakers provided informed and delightful praise in honor of Sister Delores by balancing the theme and meanings of resilience,” she shared.

Sister Delores was dedicated throughout her life to education and advancing opportunities for Black Americans. She was the first African-American graduate of Cardinal Cushing Central High School in South Boston and later a founding member of the National Black Sisters Conference. In the introduction of the book Subversive Habits, Sister Delores is mentioned as one of America’s Forgotten Black Freedom Fighters.

With thanks to Sister Rita for this report.