Black women holding it down spans across many cultures and religions.

One such woman, Julia Greeley, was born into slavery in Hannibal, Missouri between 1833 and 1848. Now she is on her way to possible sainthood.

Per Catholic.org, U.S. Bishops have put forward Greeley’s name in the vote for official sainthood investigation process.

As part of the investigation processes, the archdiocese will be gathering testimonies of miracles and information about Greeley's life in order to compile a report for Vatican review. The Vatican could make a decision about Greeley's sainthood as early as next year.

Greeley endured terrible tragedies above and beyond those slaves routinely suffered, including losing an eye after a slave owner accidentally struck her while whipping her mother. Despite the hardships she faced, her charitable nature and evangelism made her a household name in  her community until her death in 1918.

Because of her works, which included ministering to local firemen and providing food and sundries secretly to those in need, Greeley’s remains have been exhumed and transferred to a Catholic Cathedral in Denver.  

During Greeley’s open viewing and ceremony, many visitors honored her and prayed to her for her help. Afterwards, Greeley’s chest was sealed with gold wax and then moved to next to the altar at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception The ceremony was held 99 years after Greeley’s death.

Should Greenly become a saint, she would join a deep bench of black saints, although she would be one of the new black saints from the Americas, and the first black saint born in the United States.

"Whether she is an official saint or not she's already a saint to me," added Julia Greeley Guild president Mary Leisring.

 Well said!