The Congrégation de Notre-Dame (CND) has always believed in the value of liberating education. Such an education empowers students, providing them with the tools to become agents of their own transformation, to create a more just society. The CND’s long and valued association with StFX stretches back decades. The “convent school” founded in 1883 at Mount St. Bernard was affiliated with Saint Francis Xavier College as early as 1897 when arts degrees were conferred upon four women. Over the next decade, there would be 23 graduates; by 1930, over 200. The CND had a great desire to respond to the needs of women seeking post-secondary education. The vision and persistence of these women along with the support of Bishop John Cameron and his co-workers at StFX made this dream a reality. In the 1920s, courses designed specifically for women were established: pedagogy; domestic science (a program introduced by the CND); social work; advanced work in music, art and elocution; and language. The first two degrees in household arts were granted in 1932. The CND remained the only faculty for home economics until the 1970s. As more women, including sisters, gained access to higher education, their vocational/professional possibilities expanded. Sister St. Veronica (MacDonald) joined StFX as a history professor in 1937. She was the first CND and the first woman to be a StFX faculty member. By 1971, 20 sisters were full-time staff. They taught in many departments—home economics, music, art, education, theology, English, business, classics, French and Celtic studies, where Sister Margaret MacDonell became chair in 1977. Throughout, the CND contribution to StFX has been exceptional.
