A film well worth seeing is “Hidden Figures” which is based on a true story about three highly educated women, who suffered oppression in society and in a male dominated work environment. Despite all of this they respectfully stood in their own truth and became recognised for the great women they were.
Recently, I had morning tea with two other women, a Sister of Mercy and a Presentation Sister. As I was leaving one remarked, “Three great women!” I stopped in my tracks and realised she was speaking of three women whom we each represented here today in Australia and in the Australian Church, namely Catherine McAuley, Nano Nagle and Mary Aikenhead, three great Irish women of inspiration, vision and courage who despite huge obstacles founded our Orders. I believe it important to remember, and to be proud of the fact, that here in Australia religious women toiled courageously, despite great obstacles, to educate the beautiful children of this country. I believe that the wonderful new statue of Scholastica Gibbons rsc, co-founder of the Good Samaritan Sisters, is in its own way a testament to this. Karan Varker, rsc
