In memory...

Brave. Authentic. Compassionate. Radical.

We mourn the loss of Sister Jeannette Normandin on May 30, 2006, and we also celebrate her tremendous existence.

Some of us were fortunate enough to have met Sister Jeannette back in the fall of 2004. CCA had recently brought Ruah House into our continuum of great programs, and we were in the process of getting to know the Ruah community and also remodeling the house itself. Even from afar, everyone could see that Sister Jeannette was an extraordinary person. She had a glow. Everyone in the house flocked to her with hugs and smiles, and tears of joy and connection.

In the spring of 2005, CCA created the Sister Jeannette Normandin Award and presented it to the Zinberg Clinic at Cambridge Health Alliance for their work with people living with HIV/AIDS. This year the awardees were Sheila Davis and Sara Dolan, both very active in the HIV community, providing service and education in the spirit of Sister Jeannette.

We are humbled and honored to carry on her legacy of gentle care and fierce activism for women. Sister Jeannette is a true example of compassion combined with bold advocacy, and that’s what we need in this work.

To make a donation in memory of Sister Jeannette, please go here.

More about the incredible life of Sister Jeannette:

Boston Globe Obituary

"AIDS is Nun's Calling"
"Sister Jeannette Normandin-Bodhisattva"
"Open Sesame"
South End News