May 9 — Sister Mary E. Wendeln and Peace, Justice and Ecology Coordinator Jen Morin-Williamson joined 50 other Ohioans at the Statehouse in Columbus for the presentation of Senate Bill 101. The bill would abolish the death penalty in Ohio.
Community Gems
June 1 — Our own Jen Morin-Williamson was recognized by the Dayton Daily News as a “Community Gem” — and we certainly agree! Morin-Williamson was nominated by Cheri Overholser; the two women co-chair the Dayton chapter of SOAP (Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution), which works to prevent human trafficking. Great work, Jen!
Aug. 9 — Rap Hankins was also recognized as a “Community Gem” by the Dayton Daily News for his work in advocating for electric vehicles. Last spring, Hankins visited Salem Heights with his nonprofit Drive Electric Dayton and let some of our Sisters go for a spin in an EV. Jen Morin-Williamson nominated him for the honor. Congratulations, Rap!
June 1 — Sarah Aisenbrey, the Congregation’s archivist, and Jen Morin-Williamson gave a PechaKucha presentation titled “Gem City’s Precious Sisters” at Longfellow School in Dayton. The presentation included a bit of the Community’s history and highlighted a Sister from each decade over the past 100 years. PechaKucha Dayton is a quarterly idea-sharing party and networking event. The PechaKucha presentation format began in 2003 in Tokyo.
June 16 — Four students from Carroll High School in Dayton visited Sisters at Amherst House and enjoyed dinner and prayer time together as part of the school’s Mission Dayton program. Participants also visited other sites, such as a prison and a group home, to learn about the people and places that make up our communities. Our visitors had not been around Sisters before. We enjoyed our time together!
July 24 — Sisters and staff enjoyed a luncheon at Salem Heights with Homefull’s Chief Executive Officer Tina Patterson and Chief Strategic Officer Trudy Elder. Homefull was founded in 1988 by Sister Dorothy Kammerer and other volunteers. It began as a place for the homeless to go during the day and has expanded to take a comprehensive approach to addressing poverty.
August 21-23 — Sister Pauline Siesegh participated in the welcome weekend and orientation for the Inter-congregational Cooperative Novitiate program in Chicago. Sister Ann Clark joined her as her novitiate director. In addition to Sister Pauline, this year’s group also includes Sister Katie, BVM, from Iowa; and Sister Emerite, FHM, originally from Congo.
Top, fourth row, Jen and Sister Mary E. at the Statehouse in Columbus; contributed photo. Second, Community Gem Jen; Dayton Daily News photo. Third, Community Gem Rap; Dayton Daily News photo. Fourth, Sarah and Jen during their PechaKucha presentation at Longfellow School in Dayton; contributed photo. Fifth, four students from Carroll High School pictured with Sisters Rita Rogier, Judy Niday and Pauline Siesegh at Amherst House in Dayton; contributed photo. Sixth, from left, Sister Patty Kremer, Sister Mary Garke, Sheena McCormick, Tina Patterson, Sister Edna Hess and Trudy Elder; Michelle Bodine photo. Bottom, Sisters Pauline, Katie and Emerite; contributed photo.
