Scholarship Tribute Dinner

Sisters of Charity of New York

The story of the Sisters of Charity of New York began with the story of Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born saint. In 1809, she founded the Sisters of Charity in Emmitsburg, Maryland as a widowed convert to Catholicism—150 years after Saints Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac inspired a mission of service to the poor in France. It was the first community for religious women established in the United States.

In 1817, Mother Seton sent a group of three sisters to establish an orphanage in New York City at the corner of Prince and Mott Streets. Knowing that children need not only care, but also education in order to thrive, the Sisters began founding schools—beginning at Mott Street and eventually spreading across the diocese. This was the beginning of the parochial school system in New York. In 1846, the Sisters of Charity of New York became a congregation separate from the Emmitsburg branch.

One year later, before there were public colleges or even high schools for women in New York, they founded the Academy of Mount Saint Vincent—the first institution to offer higher learning for women in New York. The Academy was located at McGowan’s Pass at the northeast corner of what is now Central Park. In 1859, the Academy moved to Riverdale, establishing the Mount Saint Vincent campus overlooking the Hudson River.

The Congregation’s early focus on caring for orphans and educating children has expanded into practically every area of charity and social justice: healthcare; service to families, the homeless, immigrants, and senior citizens; education at all levels; pastoral ministry; advocacy for civil rights, peace, food, and water security; among many others. Sisters of Charity of New York served the people of The Bahamas from 1889 to 2007, and their missions in Guatemala since 1971 continue to thrive.

Now in their third century of service, the Sisters of Charity of New York continue to meet the challenges of the times and minister to the needs of those living in poverty.

John Prufeta

Fran Weissler

In 1968, Fran Weissler, along with her husband and partner, Barry, established National Artists Management Company, Inc. (NAMCO), an entertainment production company based in New York City, to present classic plays to children, elementary schools, high schools, colleges, and adult audiences with professional casts.

A trailblazing leader in the theatre industry, Fran has nearly 50 years of experience developing, financing, casting, managing, marketing, licensing, and consulting for first-class theatrical ventures on Broadway and the West End in London, as well as both domestic and international touring productions.

Fran and Barry are the winners of seven Tony Awards: for Othello, the Weissler’s Broadway debut starring James Earl Jones and Christopher Plummer; Fiddler on the Roof with Chaim Topol; Gypsy with Tyne Daly; Annie Get Your Gun with Bernadette Peters and Reba McEntire; the worldwide hit, Chicago; the 2010 revival of La Cage Aux Folles with Kelsey Grammer; and the 2013 revival of Pippin starring Patina Miller and Andrea Martin.

Chicago—which has been running continuously on Broadway for 26 years—is the longest-running American musical in the world. The show’s global success has reached over 25 countries and has been translated into a dozen languages.

The Weisser’s latest hit, Waitress—a musical adaptation of Adrienne Shelly’s 2007 independent film favorite, with an original score by Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, Sara Bareilles—is currently available for licensing.

Fran’s current producing projects include the revival of the beloved musical Carnival; a new show entitled Real Women Have Curves; and The Bedwetter, which has book and lyrics by Sarah Silverman.

Dinner Committee
In Formation