Walsh, Virginia, Sister, RSM, 1925-2020

Dates

• Existence: September 4, 1925 - July 12, 2020

Biography

Born in 1925, Sister Virginia Walsh was the daughter of John Walsh and Margaret (Dooley) Walsh. She had seven siblings: Joseph Walsh, John Walsh, James Walsh, Helen Cain, Madeline McCrudden, Bernadette Doyle, and Gerald Walsh. She earned her B.Ed from Catholic Teacher's College, her M.A. from Boston College, and her Ed.D from Boston University.

Sister Virginia Walsh was a Sister of Mercy for 76 years. She was also known as Sister Mary Terence. At the beginning of her career, she taught ministry in the dioceses of Fall River and Providence, including St. Mary Academy, Bay View. In the 1960s, she was assigned principal of St. Michael's School in Providence, and recognized the need for education to include the diverse racial, ethnic, and religious diversity of the community.

She brought her concerns for social justice to Salve Regina College, where taught sociology. She sought to teach students about unjust power hierarchies and changing society. With Sister Johnelle Luciani, she established a scholarship fund.

Salve Regina recognized Sister Virginia with the Feinstein Enriching America Award during its celebration of Women of Courage and Vision. She served as co-editor of the "Journal of Interdisciplinary Feminist Thought" from 2011 until her death.