Loretto Efforts Create Better Future for Women and Children

“I Am the Way,” Loretto Constitutions, #71, tells us, “We rely with hope on the Spirit of life whose power at work in us is able to do more than we can ask or imagine.”  

Imagine a world in which justice and peace prevail for all people, especially for women and children.

Imagine a world in which all people, especially women and children, have equal protection under the law; equal opportunity to citizenship, employment, education and health care; and equal access to educational, medical and legal systems.

Imagine a world in which all people, especially women and children, have water, food, shelter and a healthy environment to live in peace and safety for themselves and their families. 

Imagine a world where all people, especially children, are happy, healthy, educated, cared for and surrounded by love.

Imagine a world in which all people, especially women, receive an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work.

Over the years, the Loretto Community has supported and worked for justice regarding the concerns and disadvantages that women and all oppressed peoples face in the United States and abroad. One of our many organizations with strong roots in the Community that helps to accomplish this work is the Loretto Feminist Network (LFN) also known as the Loretto Women’s Network. Throughout its history, LFN has been part of the Loretto Community, but also retained an independence so as to be able to take broader stands on women’s concerns. LFN’s work focuses on the issues facing women in today’s society and the work of the Loretto Community in support of women’s issues. 

Through the auspices of Loretto at the UN, another of Loretto’s many organizations that seeks to empower women and girls, Loretto once again is taking part in the annual U.N. Commission on the Status of Women. Loretto’s participation in this month’s event, known for short as CSW65, is being led by our Loretto NGO (non-governmental organization) representative Beth Blissman. It’s an all-virtual event this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. As in past years, participants will have the opportunity to learn about global issues and to raise their voices to advocate for and with women and girls around the world. 

A CSW65 orientation session led by Beth gives an overview of the governmental meetings and NGO Forum. It also includes instructions on how to sign up for the CSW65 NGO Forum. 

The NGO Forum includes several Loretto-connected parallel events. You can find brief descriptions, with direct links to the events on the CSW65 “Pathable” platform, here.