Key Dates in Thea's Life

1937 Bertha Bowman is born to Mary Esther (Coleman), a teacher, and Theon Edward Bowman, a doctor in Yazoo City, Miss.

1947 Bertha is baptized into the Catholic Church by Father Justin Furman, ST, and makes her first communion.

1949 Bertha enters Holy Child Jesus Catholic School, run by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration from Wisconsin.

1953 Bertha enters the Franciscan Sisters' community in La Crosse, Wis.

1955 Having contracted tuberculosis, Bertha spends the year recovering at River Pines Sanatorium in Stevens Point, Wis.

1956 She begins her novitiate years, honoring her father, Theon, by taking the name Thea, which means "of God."

1958 Sister Thea takes her first vows and begins teaching at Blessed Sacrament School in La Crosse.

1961 Sister Thea teaches English and music at Holy Child Jesus Catholic High School in Canton, Miss.

1968 Sister Thea begins graduate studies in English at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

1969 Sister Thea earns her master's degree in English from The Catholic University of America.

1972 Sister Thea earns her Ph.D. in English from The Catholic University of America and spends the sumer studying at Oxford University and traveling throughout Europe. She begins teaching at Viterbo College in La Crosse, Wis., where she chairs the English Department, and directs the Hallelujah Singers.

1980 As a faculty member, Sister Thea helps found the Institute of Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans.

1983 Sister Thea receives the Brother James Miller, FSC Award.

1984 In a difficult year, Sister Thea is diagnosed with breast cancer and her parents die. Still, Sister Thea continues an active schedule of speaking engagements, teaching, and performing.

1985 Sister Thea travels to the Forty-third International Eucharistic Congress in Nairobi, Kenya. The National Black Sisters' Conference honors her with the Harriet Tubman Award. She also receives the Pope John XXIII Award from Viterbo College.

1987 "60 Minutes" airs an interview with Sister Thea by Mike Wallace.

1988 Sister Thea receives honorary doctorates from Regis College in Boston, Clarke College, Xavier University in New Orleans, Sacred Heart University, College of Our Lady of the Elms, Boston College, Georgetown University, Saint Michael's College, Marygrove College, Viterbo College, and Spring Hill College. Michigan Governor James Blanchard recognizes Sister Thea with the G. Mennen Williams Award. Canton, Miss., declares December 23 as Sister Thea Bowman Day.

1989 Sister Thea receives the U.S. Catholic Award for her undeterred fight for the women's movement and the Bishop Carroll T. Dozier Award from Christian Brothers College for promoting peace and justice in the world.

1990 Sister Thea dies on March 30. She posthumously receives the Laetare Medal from Notre Dame University.