Order of Harlem sisters celebrates 100 years

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - Only three orders of African-American nuns exist in the United States. One in the heart of Harlem is celebrating 100 years of service.

Sister Gertrude is the leader of an order of black nuns in Harlem. They are unique because they've accepted God's calling but also because of something else.

For the last 10 years Sister Gertrude, a native Nigerian and NYU-educated physician, has been congregation minister at the Motherhouse of the Franciscan Handmaids of the Most Pure Heart. The order was birthed in 1916 in the face of segregation in the south.

The goal was to continue the education of the black community. So their roots are in social justice work and that's never changed.

I caught up with them at their school program. About 40 youngsters are in the program.

There is something special happening, so I say a quick good-bye.

At the Gala celebrating their anniversary I talked with Cardinal Dolan.

100 years -- a fixture in the community. Resilient and open arms to all backgrounds.