Black Sisters Testify: The Real Work of Belonging
November 29, 2022
Sr. Cora Marie Billings, RSM, has spent her life knowing the weight of being the “first” or the “only.” The first Black Sister to join her religious community and the first Black Sister to lead a U.S. parish, to name only two such distinctions, she is also a co-founder of the National Black Sisters’ Conference.
Living in Richmond since the early ’80s, Sr. Cora Marie has served as a campus minister at Virginia State, as head of the diocesan office of Black Catholics, and for 14 years as the pastoral coordinator of St. Elizabeth’s parish, where she still attends.
Sr. Cora Marie shared with NETWORK her reflections on what it means to be a Black Sisters serving in the U.S., with all of the history and cultural proclivities wrapped up in that.
Sister Cora Marie is an amazing woman. She was my 1st grade teacher at St Michael the Archangel School in Levittown PA . I am going to be 68 years old. We still keep in touch!! I am so proud to say that I know & love her.
Ms. Coughlan you were very blessed to have Sr. Cora as your 1st grade teacher. She is so loving and nurturing.