[caption id="attachment_1000" align="alignright" width="200"] Blog by Sr. Judy Morris, OP[/caption]
As I end my seven years as Justice Promoter on Wednesday, I have thought of the African proverb, "It Takes A Village to Raise a Child" and substituted, to bring peace, alleviate poverty, address global climate change, etc. While one person can make a difference, many persons coming together can bring about positive change.
Comedian Woody Allen once said, "Eighty percent of life is showing up." I am very grateful to the countless Sisters and Associates who showed up during the last seven years. You have addressed social justice issues of concern - human trafficking, immigration reform, environmental degradation, peace. Sisters and Associates serving on four justice committees and countless others have worked tirelessly in raising awareness of vital legislation, making phone calls, meeting with representatives, attending rallies, and providing resource lists on peace, Islam and "Going Green."
Dominican Sisters of Peace and Associates traveled to the School of the Americas in Columbus, Georgia, year after year, and to New York and other cities for the global climate change demonstration. You were there for countless other rallies.
On a regional and national level, our voices were heard when Sisters and Associates visited hotels prior to major sporting events, distributing information on human trafficking and bars of soap with an emergency phone number. We continue to serve on the board of U.S. Sisters Against Human Trafficking.
Thanks to several Sisters and Associates initiating requests for corporate stances, the Corporate Stance Committee and all who voted, the media knows where we stand on gun control, immigration reform, human trafficking and global climate change.
Thanks to the support of Motherhouse Coordinators, Health Care Coordinators, colleges, high schools and environmental centers, visitors on our properties are aware that weapons are not permitted in our buildings.
Many of you continue to respond to action alerts on a variety of issues. This can and often does make a difference in how a legislator votes.
The list is endless so, I just want to say, "thank you, village!"