Sister Veronica Brand told an audience at Marymount University\u0092s annual\u00a0Founders Day celebration on Feb. 25 that in her role as a Non-Governmental Organization\u00a0Representative to the United Nations she speaks for those who may not otherwise be heard.<\/p>\n
\u0093Our presence at the U.N. is trying to be a voice for the voiceless, trying to bring the voice\u00a0from the grassroots to the deliberations,\u0094 she said.<\/p>\n
As the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary\u0092s (RSHM) NGO representative, Brand works in\u00a0collaboration with those from other faiths on issues such as fighting to end human trafficking,\u00a0promoting human rights for migrants and empowering women.<\/p>\n
On the day honoring the university\u0092s founding order, she offered historical perspectives on\u00a0RSHM\u0092s service outreach and explained how that tradition continues in part today with her work.<\/p>\n
The celebration began with a 10:30 a.m. Mass at the school\u0092s Sacred Heart of Mary Chapel,\u00a0followed by a luncheon in Gerard Dining Hall, where Brand made her remarks. She was\u00a0introduced by Sister Jacqueline Murphy, who was one of Brand\u0092s teachers 50 years ago in\u00a0Zimbabwe, then known as Rhodesia.<\/p>\n
During her talk, Brand quoted the call from Pope Francis to fight poverty and hunger, protect\u00a0the environment, ensure decent work for all and provide appropriate protection for the family.<\/p>\n
\u0093And so we are called to continue our mission to do that with hope and creativity even as we\u00a0have smaller numbers, relying on the collaboration of all those who work with us,\u0094 Brand said.<\/p>\n
In the question-and-answer session that followed, Brand said it was important to understand\u00a0the U.N. is more than its Security Council.<\/p>\n
Marymount University was established 65 years ago by the RSHM. \u0093Founders Day is an\u00a0opportunity to reflect on our history and ways that we can continue to incorporate RSHM values in\u00a0our lives and work,\u0094 said MU President Matthew D. Shank.<\/p>\n
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\nMarymount University celebrated its Founders Day on Wednesday with Mass at the school\u0092s Sacred\u00a0Heart of Mary Chapel followed by a luncheon in Gerard Dining Hall, where Sister Veronica Brand\u00a0spoke of her work as the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary\u0092s Non-Governmental\u00a0Organization Representative to the United Nations. Pictured from left, Sister Patricia Earl, IHM,\u00a0Sister Jacqueline Murphy, RSHM, Sister Irene Cody, RSHM, and Sister Brand.<\/p>\n