Sister Elaine Hirschenberger looks forward with gratitude
Although it’s been just a few months since Sister Elaine Hirschenberger spoke with Alive magazine Communications Associate Nahomi Morales about the 50th anniversary of Womanspace, the center in Rockford, Illinois, has held numerous additional events and celebrations.
In June, Womanspace members and friends gathered to celebrate the center’s legacy of creativity and empowerment, and in August, the opening of an exhibit of artwork by Womanspace’s co-founders drew the community together for a surprise retirement party for Sister Elaine. Most recently, the organization hosted a deeply moving celebration called “Honoring Our Foremothers.”
“This September event was really special,” Sister Elaine explained. “We asked, who are our foremothers for the organization? It’s not just Dorothy [Bock] and me, and not just Dorothy, me, and Lenora [Maier]. It’s the people who have been leaders, influencers, board presidents, teachers, or supporters of this organization.”
The event took place along the Rock River, beside the Suffrage Centennial sculpture, a public art installation created by Womanspace members.
“We purposely chose the time of the change of seasons to gather down by the river,” she said. “We did remembrance, reflection, and celebration. We talked about the women who shaped our lives. We asked each person to name someone, either living or gone, because when we name the names, that energy comes together. That’s what we’ve always believed at Womanspace. It was a gathering of live bodies and lots of spirits.”
The center’s anniversary observances culminate in a November fundraiser that will spotlight connection, empowerment, creativity and transformation through the arts. The evening will include an art raffle featuring work by Rockford artists, and a silent auction with works from more than 30 artists in the Womanspace community,
“This November event will be held at a local country club and will be the last of our anniversary celebrations,” Sister Elaine said. “Womanspace is hugely known for our arts programs, and we’ve become a hub of painting, ceramics, pottery, and all kinds of creative expression. ‘Celebrate The Arts’ will be a beautiful way to close this year of celebration.”
Having stepped into her new role of Womanspace’s director emerita, Sister Elaine reflected on how her journey with the School Sisters of St. Francis has shaped not only her vocation, but also her vision for community. Asked what comes to mind as she looks back on her half century at Womanspace and 64 years of religious life, she immediately responded with the words, “Profound gratitude.”
“The School Sisters of St. Francis opened a world for me that I never ever dreamed possible,” she said. “I grew up in a small nuclear family and I think the expectation was that I would do what all the women in my family had always done: become the mom of another small nuclear family. That’s a noble profession, but it wasn’t what I wanted at the time.”
Through religious life with the School Sisters of St. Francis, new doors opened. “When I entered the order, my world expanded like I could never have imagined. The opportunities for leadership and service, the belief in sisterhood, the belief that together we can do ever so much more than we could do alone…those are things I will continue to reflect on.”
Sister Elaine feels she is transitioning into retirement with peace and purpose. “One big expectation that I have for my retirement is that I will finally finish the book I’ve been writing about Womanspace for the last several years,” she said.
Her future plans are rooted in health, creativity, and community. “I plan to remain as healthy and vibrant as I am,” she said. “I plan to remain a volunteer at Womanspace after I take a period of time apart. Really, I plan to continue becoming ‘more Elaine’ every day!”
You can read the full feature story about Womanspace’s 50th anniversary in the Fall 2025 issue of Alive magazine, available on our website’s Publications page: https://www.sssf.org/SSSF/Media-Room/Publications.htm