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Empowerment of Women and Children

Empowerment of women has been a hallmark of Loretto since its inception. We strive to educate Loretto students and others in this value. It comes out of our devotion and admiration to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, who stood at the foot of the Cross as a woman of faith and courage. Learn about the Mary Rhodes Award, which recognizes women working for justice, especially for other women.

Home » Empowerment of Women and Children

Loretto celebrates preciousness of all life

By Loretto Community / January 21, 2025 /
Women marching in protest carry white crosses with the names and ages of those who have died.

All life is precious. From the beginning God was in love with us and wanted to live with us to reveal to us what true humanity looks like. We are…

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Loretto at the UN welcomes new intern, recognizes #16DaysOfActivism

By Loretto Community / December 9, 2024 /

Loretto thanks you for your support of our U.N. initiative, Loretto at the UN. We also recognize our partners in action: the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary…

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Kentucky Foundation for Women announces 2024 summer/fall Loretto Artist Residents

By Loretto Community / October 21, 2024 /

Published October 19, 2024 by the Kentucky Standard. Kentucky Foundation for Women is excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 summer/fall Loretto Artist Residency Program, a partnership between Sisters…

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Vatican synod is opening the door a bit wider for Catholic women − but they’ve been knocking for more than 100 years

By Loretto Community / October 11, 2024 /

Published by The Conversation Oct 11, 2024 In 2021, Sister Nathalie Becquart became the first woman to vote at any Vatican meeting when Pope Francis appointed her undersecretary to the…

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A visit to the Sindh region of Pakistan

By Loretto Community / September 18, 2024 /
A Pakistani woman is shown preparing bread and rolling it out in a work station on the ground outside. She is surrounded by pots and pans and next to a small fire with a plate on top for cooking.

A visit to the Tharparkar desert area in the Sindh region of Pakistan reveals scenes of hardship and poverty. Malnutrition, disease, lack of education and child labor are common. Debt…

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Serving in Ghana

By Christina Manweller / June 24, 2024 /
An older woman in a blue dress and glasses stands over a young student working on a computer to offer support.

A spirit of joy is truly prevalent at Blessed Trinity Leadership Academy. Pauline Albin SL The congregation of the Daughters of the Most Holy Trinity (FST) is a Ghanaian community…

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Feeding the unfed: Loretto responds to famine in India in the mid-1970s

By Loretto Community / June 24, 2024 /

Loretto’s Stop Hunger Fund (now simply called the Hunger Fund) financed the nonsectarian Child-in- Need Project for India which fed starving children in two regions following severe drought and crop…

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Investing in future leaders: The Loretto/BVM Delegation to #CSW68

By Loretto Community / April 29, 2024 /
A diverse group of young women gathers with Irish Ambassador Lisa Carty and Loretto at the UN representative Beth Blissman for a photo.

For Loretto, attending the 68th U.N. Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) was an invaluable opportunity to explore pathways to a better world. At a time when women and…

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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging – a Loretto legacy

By Loretto Community / March 13, 2024 /
Diorama of early Loretto sisters teaching

These are the first rules that St. Mary’s Academy was founded on. … “No denomination is refused if willing to observe the rules of the school.” Which means that 160…

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CSW68 Parallel Event – Action Across Generations for Empowering Girls through Education

By Loretto Community / March 13, 2024 /
A large group of teenagers pose for a photo in a school gym.

Join Loretto at the UN and the Loretto Feminist Network (LFN) for some excellent intergenerational and inter-religious conversation at their CSW parallel event 2:30-4 pm ET on Friday, March 15,…

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CSW68 Parallel Event – Access to Education for Girls: Addressing SRHR Challenges in Tanzania and Beyond

By Loretto Community / March 13, 2024 /
A large group of teenagers pose for a photo in a school gym.

In conjunction with CSW68, Loretto/BVM at the UN will co-sponsor an event with the Kila Dada Initiative (KDI) at 8:30am, March 14, 2024 (language is English). The event addresses solutions…

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Immigration Spotlight: Life at the border – Asylum seekers and migrant women at Mexico/US border

By Loretto Community / March 12, 2024 /

Latin America/Caribbean Committee (LACC) of the Loretto Community invite you to an NGO CSW Forum virtual Parallel Event on the occasion of the 68th Commission on the Status of Women When: …

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