Thea Bowman: A Story of Triumph

A biography of Thea Bowman for young readers.

Thea Bowman's parents were happy when she started 6th grade at Holy Child Jesus School in Canton, Mississippi.

At age 15, Thea asked her parents if she could join the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) and finish high school 1,000 miles away. They said no!

So how did Thea join the FSPA and do well in high school and college? How was she able to get through a serious illness as a young Black person far from home? How did she overcome racial bias, share African American spirituals and heritage, and speak out for love and healing for all people?

Thea's life of self-determination and courage answers those questions, reflecting the historic times she lived in. Like Thea, this book can inspire young readers to set high goals, triumph over obstacles, and share their talents with the world.

Thea Bowman: A Story of Triumph fills a gap in scholarship about Thea's life in a chapter format designed for young adult (YA) readers. Fits reading Lexile range 810L – 1400L for grades 6-12.