Introduction
Carol Coburn, historian and co-author of Spirited Lives: How Nuns Shaped Catholic Culture and American Life, 1836-1920, has dedicated her career to uncovering the stories of Catholic sisters and their contributions to American history. Her articles written for Global Sisters Report (GSR) and her interview with the Carondelet Consolidated Archives shed light on the pivotal role Catholic sisters played in the Civil Rights Movement, particularly during the Selma marches of 1965.
This blog post explores Coburn’s insights into the sisters’ involvement in Selma, their broader legacy of social justice activism, and the lessons their stories offer for today’s movements. By connecting Coburn’s research to the ongoing struggle for racial justice, we honor the courage and faith of these remarkable women.
What made Catholic sisters uniquely positioned to contribute to the Selma marches, compared to other groups or individuals?
Carol Coburn explains that the sisters’ religious identity and commitment to justice made them uniquely suited to participate in the Selma marches. Their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience were not barriers but rather sources of strength, allowing them to stand in solidarity with marginalized communities.
“When six Catholic nuns from St. Louis boarded a chartered plane headed for Selma, Alabama, in the early morning hours of March 10, 1965, they had no idea they were about to change their own destinies and the lives of many American women religious.” (Coburn, 2015)
Their presence in Selma, particularly in their religious habits, drew national attention and symbolized the Catholic Church’s support for racial justice.
“Clothed in their floor-length, traditional habits of black serge wool and veils, the nuns were swarmed by the media and their photographs and subsequent interviews filled the front pages of many national newspapers, providing the lead story for national television networks over the next few days.” (Coburn, 2015)
How did the sisters’ religious identity shape their experience in Selma, both in terms of the support they received and the challenges they faced?
The sisters’ religious habits made them highly visible, which was both a strength and a challenge. Their presence was a powerful statement, but it also exposed them to scrutiny and criticism.
“It turned out that the habit was what got everyone’s attention very quickly, because nuns had not been seen doing anything like that before.” (Coburn, 2020)
The Broader Impact of the Sisters’ Actions
How did the sisters’ involvement in Selma impact their own communities and religious orders after they returned home?
Coburn explains that Selma was a transformative experience for the sisters and their communities. It inspired many to deepen their commitment to social justice and to challenge systemic inequalities within the Church and society.
“Selma signaled the beginning of what were often painful but necessary and powerful transformations.” (Coburn, 2020)
“As historical transitions go, Catholic sisters transformed and redefined themselves with the speed of light. The change for U.S. Catholic women in religious life between 1960 and the mid-1980s cannot be overstated. It was an historical, theological, sociological and psychological transition of epic proportions – personally, professionally and spiritually.” (Coburn, 2015)
How did the sisters’ participation in Selma challenge or change perceptions of Catholic sisters within the broader American society?
The sisters’ involvement in Selma challenged stereotypes and changed perceptions of Catholic sisters, showing them as active participants in the fight for justice.
“Never before had Catholic sisters been involved in a national public protest, let alone one covered by all the national media.” (Coburn, 2020)
Historical Context and Comparisons
How does the sisters’ involvement in Selma compare to their roles in other social justice movements, such as labor rights or immigration advocacy?
Coburn notes that Selma marked a shift toward more direct engagement with political and social issues, building on their long history of activism.
“They were early examples of the model of the sister-scholar-activist nun in the post-Vatican II era.” (Coburn, 2020)
Were there any historical precedents for Catholic sisters engaging in activism, or was Selma a turning point in their involvement in social justice?
While sisters had always been involved in charitable work, Selma marked a shift toward more direct engagement with political and social issues.
“In reality, the sisters and those they marched with walked only about a block that day before they were stopped by Alabama troopers and a sheriff’s posse; but that short walk helped propel American Catholic sisters into a new era that forever changed the face of religious life and would inevitably redefine how sisters understood and acted upon social justice issues for the rest of the century.
After Selma and over the next 50 years, many Catholic sisters moved away from their historic contributions of creating and staffing educational, healthcare and social service institutions and gravitated to a variety of social justice issues and activities. Individuals, their religious communities, and the creation of many intercommunity networks and organizations helped reshape and redefine the response to social justice in late 20th-century America.”
“The Selma events of 1965 were seminal in the move to social activism for American Catholic sisters, but several factors coalesced in the decades before and after World War II, laying the groundwork and providing the impetus for expanding activities in the social justice arena.” (Coburn, 2015)
Modern Relevance
What lessons from the sisters’ experiences in Selma are most relevant to addressing current issues?
“The sisters have given us a road map, a playbook that goes beyond age, gender, race, religion, and political affiliation. Sixty years after Selma, many laypeople, Catholic and non-Catholic, have joined sisters in their work for social justice, providing a model of collaboration and cooperation for negotiating the difficult road ahead.” (Coburn, 2020)
“I now understand what a long-haul the process would become. The activism necessary to bring about justice, peace, and equality is slow, difficult, and painful. In hindsight, I never believed that the end result would be so elusive and, in many ways, so fragile.” (Coburn, Interview)
Unanswered Questions and Future Research
Are there any unanswered questions or untold stories about the sisters of Selma that you wish you could explore further?
“I intend to continue research on issues involving the work and ministries of Catholic sisters in the Post-Vatican II world. The plethora of social justice issues and the sisters’ intra-congregational, inter-congregational ministries and networking with the ecumenical and secular world has yet to be fully explored.” (Coburn, Interview)
Learning, studying and reflecting are lifetime endeavors and should never end. Age is not the determining factor for taking action and improving our world. Work with others for a common cause and realize that working toward the “greater good” is more than a cliché or a slogan on a bumper sticker. In a world searching for meaning and purpose, Catholic sisters provide a model for engagement and being present — a way forward in troubled times. (Coburn, Interview)
What future research or projects are you working on-or hope to work on-that connect to the legacy of Catholic sisters and social justice?
Coburn is currently consulting for national archival collectives to preserve and make accessible documents and digital holdings that showcase the sisters’ work.
“Here is what I realized by watching, studying, and learning from Catholic sisters: Find and create meaning and passion in your life and work. Constantly redefine yourself to meet the moment, to engage in the possible.” (Coburn, 2020)
Conclusion
Carol Coburn’s work has been instrumental in preserving and sharing the stories of the sisters of Selma, ensuring that their contributions to the Civil Rights Movement are not forgotten. We invite you to explore Coburn’s articles and books, including Spirited Lives and her Global Sisters Report series, to learn more about the sisters and their impact.
Coburn, Carol K. 2020. “The Road to Justice Runs through Selma: Reflections on the Sisters of Selma Q&A Series.” Text. Global Sisters Report. National Catholic Reporter. November 12, 2020. https://www.globalsistersreport.org/social-justice/road-justice-runs-through-selma-reflections-sisters-selma-qa-series.
Coburn, Carol K. 2015. “The Selma Effect: Catholic Nuns and Social Justice 50 Years On.” Text. Global Sisters Report. National Catholic Reporter. March 15, 2015. https://www.globalsistersreport.org/selma-effect-catholic-nuns-and-social-justice-50-years.
Coburn, Carol. 2025. Interview with Carol K. Coburn.
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