Drexel, Katharine (1858–1955)

The daughter of a wealthy Philadelphia investment banker, Katharine Drexel was among the most important religious women in the history of American Catholic educational reform. Along with Elizabeth Ann Seton, she ranks as one of the driving forces in the movement to establish Catholic schools across the United States. More importantly, Drexel led the movement to provide Catholic educational opportunities to people of color. Like Seton before her, Drexel would be canonized as a Catholic saint for her work in this regard.

Katharine Drexel was born in Philadelphia on November 26, 1858, the third daughter of Francis A. Drexel and Hanna Jane Langstroth. Although the family was wealthy, tragedy was an early visitor; shortly after Katharine's birth, her mother died. Katharine's father quickly remarried and the three Drexel girls were raised and homeschooled by their stepmother and private tutors. The family traveled widely in Europe as well as in the United States.