Nun in a miniskirt
November 1969: The fact that Sister Joann Malone of the Order of Loreto was protesting wasn't particularly big news, but the fact that she was wearing a miniskirt as she did so was front-page news.
Her superior, Sister Rose Maureen Sanders, head of the St. Louis province of the Sisters of Loreto, wasn’t too happy about the fashion decision. From a follow-up article:
Sydney Morning Herald - Nov 21, 1969
Decatur Herald - Nov 20, 1969
Her superior, Sister Rose Maureen Sanders, head of the St. Louis province of the Sisters of Loreto, wasn’t too happy about the fashion decision. From a follow-up article:
Sister Rose said she feels that Sister Joanne, from her earnings on speaking engagements, could have paid to purchase a longer skirt.
“I regretted the photo when I saw it in newspapers here and thought her wearing a miniskirt was ridiculous,” said the provincial superior.
“It’s an aberration on her part. Many, many sisters are wearing modern clothes but would not choose a miniskirt. Why do the newspapers print things like that?”
“I regretted the photo when I saw it in newspapers here and thought her wearing a miniskirt was ridiculous,” said the provincial superior.
“It’s an aberration on her part. Many, many sisters are wearing modern clothes but would not choose a miniskirt. Why do the newspapers print things like that?”
Comments
Sister Rose clearly didn't know much about newspapers.
Posted by ges on 09/12/19 at 07:34 PM
Not only did this make the papers, it was front page news in Decatur, with a two-column photo that superseded news of an Apollo moon landing, the Vietnam war and an earthquake. An editor there clearly knew what sold papers. 😊
Posted by Brian on 09/12/19 at 09:01 PM
The article misspells her first name; and she didn't stop protesting. https://www.nytimes.com/1970/05/07/archives/9-get-jail-terms-for-destruction-at-offices-of-dow.html
Still active today, though no longer a nun: https://www.facebook.com/peaceisnow/timeline?lst=1540566216%3A1026891115%3A1568405399
Still active today, though no longer a nun: https://www.facebook.com/peaceisnow/timeline?lst=1540566216%3A1026891115%3A1568405399
Posted by FRANK on 09/13/19 at 03:13 PM
Frank -- Thanks for the update and spelling correction. Good to know she's still active and protesting.
Posted by Alex on 09/13/19 at 03:22 PM
I always thought nuns cut their hair off. Then I read that the outfit she belonged to takes simple vows, rather than solemn ones. So maybe it was possible for her to be showing pregnancy, too. The newspapers probably wouldn't have been able to print fast enough to keep up with that demand.
Posted by Virtual in Carnate on 09/14/19 at 12:34 PM
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Category: Fashion | Religion | Nuns | 1960s