St. Angela Merici (1470–1540) is the founder of the Ursuline Order, the first women’s religious congregation dedicated to the education of girls. Born in Desenzano, Italy, she experienced a deep personal faith from a young age, which intensified after the death of her parents. 

In her early adulthood, Angela began to devote her life to God and the spiritual welfare of young women. After a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, she returned to Italy, where she established the Ursuline community in Brescia in 1535. The Ursulines focused on the education and moral formation of girls, laying the groundwork for modern Catholic education for women.

Angela's spirituality emphasized the importance of charity and service, and she encouraged her followers to be active in their communities. She was canonized by Pope Pius VII in 1807, and her feast day is celebrated on January 27. St. Angela Merici is regarded as a patroness of educators and of those who work for the education of girls.