A legacy of faith and firsts: Catholic Daughters of the Americas make history in East Baltimore

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court #2257 at St. Francis Xavier in East Baltimore is not only a pillar of spiritual service but also a historic force in Black Catholic life. Earlier this year, that legacy continued as the court celebrated the 15th anniversary of its Unsung Black Catholic Woman Award.

Three women – youth honoree Varia Alston and adult recipients Nina Shipman and Kay G. Bee – joined more than 80 others honored over the past 15 years for their faith-filled service to the parish and community.

Founded in 1983, Court #2257 is the first and oldest African American Catholic Daughters court in Maryland. The parish’s junior court, which marked its 40th anniversary in January, holds the distinction of being the oldest African American junior court in the nation.

The Unsung Black Catholic Woman Award has become a cherished tradition, spotlighting contributions that often go unseen.

“It’s a recognition for women who have done so much, not only in the parish, but in the communities and their families,” said Lynette Richardson, regent of the St. Francis Xavier court. “Just to be recognized gives them a sense of honor.”

Honorees received certificates, flowers, a gift card and a public reading of their biography during a ceremony following Mass.

“It gives them a sense of achievement and a sense that someone appreciates them,” Richardson added. “A lot of the women in our parish work behind the scenes, and you don’t realize how involved they were and how they supported the parish.”

Nominations tend to build over time, she noted.

“Once someone nominates one woman, the next year, they can think of others to nominate,” Richardson explained.

The court’s influence has been shaped by leaders such as Lucretia Coates, a cousin of current vice-regent Valerie Grays. A longtime educator, Coates chaired the first Unsung Black Catholic Woman Award and made history as the first African American national director and state regent in the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She died in 2022.

“With her doing those things, it just set the bar so high,” Grays said. “It makes us proud, encourages us and lets us know that we can do anything we put our minds to.”

For Richardson, the court also became a pathway back to faith. After stepping away from the church, it was the Catholic Daughters who welcomed her home.
Being a member “has helped me grow in my faith, has created a union for me and support for me with other Catholic women,” she said.

Despite changing times and declining numbers in some parishes, the court remains active, with about 30 members. Upcoming events at St. Francis Xavier include the annual Graduation Mass, an old-school cabaret and a Mass to honor deceased parishioners. The chapter also plans a new Unsung Black Catholic Man Award, a priest appreciation event and an educational scholarship.

Grays said the group remains focused on longevity and growth.
“I hope we continue to thrive,” she said.

“In a time when courts close, the population of Catholics is dwindling down. For us to still be here, to be an important part of the parish, we want our court to continue,” she said.

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