OLYMPIA, Wash. – April 16 is Mother Joseph Day in Washington State.
Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart was a Sister of Providence who traveled to the Washington Territory in 1856. Originally from Quebec, Mother Joseph quickly became an integral part of Washington history after arriving in what would eventually become the Evergreen State.
She founded the first hospital in the northwest in 1858. The Sisters of Providence founded schools and hospitals throughout the region, many of which still exist today.
What is now known as the Providence healthcare network is rooted in Mother Joseph’s work throughout the mid-1800s. She is one of many Roman Catholic sisters who were integral in creating the educational and medical infrastructure of much of the west coast.
The Archdiocese of Spokane celebrated the day via a statement on social media published Tuesday morning.
“She helped establish and design hospitals and clinics across the Northwest, some of which are still standing. She was truly a woman with many talents,” the archdiocese said.
Mother Joseph Day was created by a 1999 Washington State Legislature bill and signed into law by Governor Gary Locke.
