Eileen Harrington CoL

I was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. I first met the Sisters of Loretto as a senior in high school, when our student government hired Mary Ann Gleason to help us with communications and community-building work in our school community. One thing led to another: through Mary Ann, I met other Sisters of Loretto; I explored vowed membership but decided it wasn’t the best fit for me; and I went on to attend law school and live in Washington, DC for 35 years. While there, I worked as an attorney and senior official at the Federal Trade Commission, protecting consumers by developing regulations and policies covering almost every sector of the US economy, and directing a vigorous law enforcement effort to penalize bad actors. I loved working for the people.

When I began planning my retirement from the federal service, knowing I would have a bit more breathing space in my life, I knew that becoming a Loretto co-member was a high priority for my next chapter. I became a co-member in 2011 and since then have been involved in Loretto life in various ways. I’ve been on the Peace Committee; served on the staff as Mission Activities Coordinator and Communications Director; and now I am serving on the Community Forum.

Loretto shaped me as young woman, and those formative experiences and the relationships I had decades ago with Loretto folks inspired me to a live of public and community service. I cannot imagine who I would be without Loretto; it’s part of my core identity. We work for justice and act for peace, each doing our little part together in community. I am grateful to be a part.