c. 1789 – February 3, 1882

Mary Elizabeth Lange was a religious sister and founder of the first African American religious congregation in the United States, the Oblate Sisters of Providence in Baltimore, Maryland. Born in Santo Domingo, she was educated in Cuba, emigrating to the United States in the early 1800s. From her home, Lange founded a religious school for African American children. She eventually opened Saint Francis Academy, which is still operational today. She was declared venerable by Pope Francis in June 2023.