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Lucy Eaton Smith

Lilly McIntire Smith

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Lucy Eaton Smith was born in New York City in 1845. She spent much of her time with her grandmother at her mother's home in Ft. Edward, NY. She was deeply concerned about the spiritual well being of women in a society that did not allow women to vote or hold public office. Many religious communities of her day were attending to the education of children and to the vast numbers of immigrants pouring into the country.

Lucy was different. She realized that women were frequently alone in their personal struggles or left without resources to explore how God was working in their lives. She set about to provide a place of quiet and prayer for them. It was a hard road, she was frequently rejected or refused support. But eventually, she established the first retreat house for women in the United States near Albany NY in 1882.

Lucy had a great affection for the 15th Century Dominican mystic St. Catherine de' Ricci. Because of that connection, the congregation is named the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine de' Ricci. Her sister Lilly was an important influence in developing the congregation's mission.