Young Women Leaders Commit to Global Needs

“… 16 new friends working together on a service project fundraiser to help less fortunate children in Ghana….”  ~Mary Turney, Notre Dame High School, St. Louis

Sixteen young women – from the Academy of the Holy Angels, Demarest, N.J.; Notre Dame Prep, Baltimore; Institute of Notre Dame, Baltimore; Notre Dame High School, St. Louis; and an exchange student from Notre Dame, Kyoto, Japan – gathered in St. Louis in March for a Leadership Retreat.

The retreat theme reflected the words of SSND foundress Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger, “Love is the sign through which the whole world should be convinced that we believe in Jesus.”

The young women talked about the leadership qualities and charism of Blessed Theresa and Mother Caroline. They reflected on these qualities and discussed their applicability to situations in today’s world and on the leadership style of “women as leaders.” Blessed Theresa counted on collaborative and community efforts to mobilize many talents and connections to resources.

Three alums from Notre Dame High, who spent several weeks in African countries as educators and a medical professional, shared their experiences of the power of compassion. They credited their high school social justice course and multi-cultural service experiences as inspiring them to take bigger risks in making a difference internationally.

Sister Kathy Schmittgens, development director for the Province of Africa, presented options for making a difference among the many needs of SSND African missions. Students concluded the retreat with a call to action: “to mobilize efforts with their respective student bodies in the Fall of 2013 to raise at least $500 per school to support a clinic in Africa.” Extra funds raised beyond this goal will support the needs of a preschool.

“… Our goal is to change the world for the better by helping with the little things in life.”  ~Fiona Hannafin, Notre Dame Prep in Baltimore

Adapted from an article by Sister Michelle Emmerich, principal at Notre Dame High School, St. Louis
Photos by Linda Behrens