I spent 50 years working in St. Louis. I lived mostly at the Catholic Worker and worked at the Peace Economy Project, trying to figure ways for McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics to develop some commercial products. There was a time in the early ‘90s when many of us thought this might happen and I worked with the United Nations Development Program, inviting governments to invest in their citizenry instead of war.

In 2007 I moved in with Roberta Hudlow and began directing a prisoner re-entry program. Starting out, I knew how to help people who have no resources but I knew little about prisons. I became a strong advocate for criminal legal reform (not criminal justice as that is non-existent).

I entered Loretto when I was 17 and now, at 82, I am still a sister. I live at the Motherhouse. I lobby and write and am active in local politics. I want to help build LLink’s capacity to sustain a vision of Loretto and carry out good works.

- Mary Ann McGivern