The education of the Sacred Heart stems from the vision of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat who founded a religious society devoted to the education of women during the turmoil of the French Revolution.
True to its international roots, the University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo was founded in 1948 under the leadership of its first president, Mother Elizabeth Britt, as one of the first new women’s universities in post-WWII Japan.
From the very beginning, the University has produced women who are defined by the attitudes of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, such as love and compassion for each individual, and who deepen their relationship with society through their own studies and achievements. The cultivation of intelligence in action prepares women to go forward in these times of fluctuating and unpredictable value systems.
This year, 2023, marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo. Mindful that the successful celebration of our 75th anniversary rests on the warm support of many people, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have reached out to us.

In this exhibition, Mother Britt tells her own “story”, including a little-known episode from her life. The “route” section traces the career and journeys of Mother Britt. The “activities” section shows how current students of the Sacred Heart are involved in a variety of social action programs. In addition, video interviews with alumni who strongly embody global conviviality are featured for your enjoyment.

In this anniversary year, the University looks back on its 75 years of history, confirms its founding spirit, determines its future path, and steps out and takes action for the future. We hope that you will visit this exhibition and join us in contemplating the past, present and future of our University.

Mami Adachi
President, University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo

‘Are there people in need of help?’‘What can we do?’ Volunteering has been an integral part of the University of the Sacred Heart since its beginnings.

One of the educational policies articulated by the first president, Mother Britt, was that students should be deeply involved and active in society. This exhibition shows how the spirit of social contribution at the University, which was established during the ages of Mother Britt, has been nurtured within students for 75 years and how they are aiming for a future of global coexistence.

In “Hidden (Unknown) Story Told by Mother Britt”, Mother Britt tells terrible events she faced during the war years, and how her experiences in the USA, where she was forced to return home, were later used to establish the university.

The path from the university's founding to the present and into the future is shown by alumnae and current students who are working for the future. In Ms. Sadako Ogata booth, a member of the 1st graduating class, introduces what she learned at the university and how she worked with intelligence and compassion as the head of the office of the UNHCR. The video section features interviews by students with graduates who are energetically involved in social activities.

“Community service work of the students” focused on the students' active involvement.

There is an unforgettable episode. While our faculty and staff were discussing how to provide reconstruction assistance after the Great East Japan Earthquake, students immediately began collecting relief supplies and sending them to the affected areas. This is a sign that ‘being there for those in need’ has taken root as a habit among the students.

We have created this exhibition in the hope that the students will make even greater strides in the future. Please take your time and have a look.

Sacred Heart Institute for Sustainable Futures

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the following people and organizations for their cooperation in making this exhibition possible.
(Titles omitted, in no particular order)

Cooperation with materials
Manhattanville University Library
Archives of the Society of the Sacred Heart, North American/Canadian Province
Archives of the Society of the Sacred Heart, Japan Province
Archives of the Sacred Heart School
Archives of Obayashi Sacred Heart School
Japan Alumnae Association of the Sacred Heart
Archives of the University of the Sacred Heart

Production cooperation
MICHE Company LLC (exhibition direction) INAKO (illustration and graphic design) Ishida Design Office (DTP) Chiharu Ooya (web designer)

Sacred Heart Institute for Sustainable Futures