Sisters of Charity Federation archivists have compiled oral histories of sisters into an interactive, searchable online digital archives. The new web site address is www.scfederationarchives.org.

Casey Bowser, archivist for the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, Greensburg, Pennsylvania, describes Charity Speaks as a “collaborative, international, and inter-congregational project to promote the oral history legacy of Catholic sisters in the Vincentian-Setonian tradition through the establishment of a public, digital collections database.”

“These sisters’ stories represent the breadth and depth of the legacy that is waiting to be uncovered in women religious archives. Women religious have lived deep, spiritual, fulfilling, and historic lives,” said Bowser. “The stories contained within these records encompass more than just religious life; they provide a unique window into womanhood, Catholic family life, 20th century social and political issues, regional and institutional histories, and much more.”

Development of the web site is ongoing. Charity Speaks, the oral history exhibit, is a prominent feature, and there are plans for more digital materials to be added as they become available.