Around 1829, Henriette DeLille joined Juliette Gaudin, a
Haitian, and
Josephine Charles, and began efforts to evangelize enslaved persons and
free persons of color in
New Orleans. Around 1836, they formed the
Congregation of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, New Orleans' first confraternity of women of color. Their unofficial
habit was a plain blue dress. Bishop
Antoine Blanc did not allow them to wear traditional habits because they were women of color. They began as a diocesan congregation and were assisted by
Marie Jeanne Aliquot. She was a white French woman and was prevented by segregation law from joining a congregation of women of color. The
Religious of the Sacred Heart provided Henriette, Juliette and Josephine spiritual formation and experience in formal religious community living. The
Association of the Holy Family, a lay group of free persons of color, contributed financially. They helped found the Hospice of the Holy Family, for the elderly sick and poor. In 1850 the order founded a school for girls. The sisters also provided a home for orphans and taught enslaved persons, although Louisiana law then prohibited educating slaves. The three women took private vows on November 21, 1852, as Bishop
Antoine Blanc would not allow women of color to make public vows. Father
Etienne Rousselou, the congregation's advisor, named DeLille as
mother superior. She took the name Sister Mary Theresa; however, everyone called her Mother Henriette. In 1876, the sisters were finally allowed to wear their habits publicly. In 1887, their formal rule was approved by the bishop. The academy moved to the
Quadroon Ballroom on Orleans Avenue in 1881. In 1921 the sisters assumed responsibility for a school for children of color from St. Francis de Sales Church; that school had been run previously by the
Sisters of the Most Holy Sacrament. In 1965 SMA moved to a site on
Chef Menteur Boulevard in
New Orleans East. ==Organization and membership==