- Feb 5, 2002
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(OSV News) — During the years Sister Frances Sedlacek ministered in rural areas of Brazil, she witnessed a movement that shifted her worldview.
“The women in Brazil were like slaves. They had no rights, no say in anything, but they started fighting (for equality). They said, ‘We want a voice in our villages and in decisions being made,'” recalled Sister Frances, 75, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration. “(I had the) experience of watching these women finding a voice.”
She craved to empower women this way in her hometown of Colorado Springs, Colorado. And when she returned in 1998, she found two fellow Sisters of St. Francis passionate about the same idea. These included Sister Jeannette Kneifel, who had just written a doctoral thesis on energizing women to take action in their lives, and Sister Marilyn Uhing, who had launched a women-centered spiritual organization.
“We were alive with the idea of women helping women to have a voice in their own life,” Sister Frances said. “We got together and decided to develop a new program.”
The sisters accomplished more than she ever imagined with the nonprofit they created together, Women Partnering. Serving the Colorado Springs area, this organization provides financially vulnerable women with the tools and support to achieve economic sustainability and overall independence.
With services provided at no cost to women, the nonprofit has helped over 5,400 women and 5,000 children since its opening in 2001.
Continued below.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
“The women in Brazil were like slaves. They had no rights, no say in anything, but they started fighting (for equality). They said, ‘We want a voice in our villages and in decisions being made,'” recalled Sister Frances, 75, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration. “(I had the) experience of watching these women finding a voice.”
She craved to empower women this way in her hometown of Colorado Springs, Colorado. And when she returned in 1998, she found two fellow Sisters of St. Francis passionate about the same idea. These included Sister Jeannette Kneifel, who had just written a doctoral thesis on energizing women to take action in their lives, and Sister Marilyn Uhing, who had launched a women-centered spiritual organization.
“We were alive with the idea of women helping women to have a voice in their own life,” Sister Frances said. “We got together and decided to develop a new program.”
The sisters accomplished more than she ever imagined with the nonprofit they created together, Women Partnering. Serving the Colorado Springs area, this organization provides financially vulnerable women with the tools and support to achieve economic sustainability and overall independence.
With services provided at no cost to women, the nonprofit has helped over 5,400 women and 5,000 children since its opening in 2001.
Sisters’ programs help meet social, economic challenges
Continued below.
Sisters of St. Francis help vulnerable women achieve financial independence Women religious help help financially vulnerable women in Colorado 'turn their lives around'
The three religious sisters in Colorado have created a nonprofit organization called Women Partnering. Serving the Colorado Springs area, this organization provides financially vulnerable women with the tools and support to achieve economic sustainability and overall independence. The sisters...
www.oursundayvisitor.com
