Saint Katharine Drexel was an American heiress and religious sister born on November 26, 1858. She founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to serve African American and Native American communities. Katharine dedicated her life to education and social justice, establishing over 60 schools, including Xavier University in New Orleans. She was canonized as a saint by Pope John Paul II on October 1, 2000, recognizing her commitment to helping marginalized groups. Katharine's legacy continues through the ongoing work of her order and the institutions she founded, promoting equality and access to education for all.