We are Catholic women who care deeply about our faith and the most vulnerable in our communities.
Sr. Margaret John Kelly
The Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University was established in 2009 by the influence of Sr. Margaret John Kelly, D.C., the founder and Executive Director of the Vincentian Center for Church and Society at St. John’s University. Sr. Margaret John encouraged the creation of a Ladies of Charity Association to engage the University’s leadership women and its alumnae in charitable works. She was the bridge between with the University’s Administration and the Diocese of Brooklyn to create the formation of the Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University.
We are part of the Ladies of Charity USA, a national network of 6,000 women, and share a legacy of more than 400 years. Founded by St. Vincent de Paul we all belong to the International Association of Charities (AIC) that includes 64 countries and 160,000 members, headquartered in Brussels. From its inception, the Ladies of Charity at St. John’s focused its mission on issues of concern for women and children. Based at a University, we recognize that education is the key to ending poverty. We promote projects that support education to underserved populations. We participate in global sustainable growth initiatives, provide volunteer manpower to our communities and at St. John’s, award scholarships to select Junior Ladies of Charity from St. John’s Preparatory School, and host an annual fundraising event the proceeds from which enable us to provide financial support to our key service initiatives.
St. Louise De Marillac
Each year we honor an individual who dedicated a significant portion of their life to serving the underserved and for living in the spirit of St. Louise de Marillac in the 21st Century. At this event we celebrate their accomplishments and present our Spes Unica Award which translates from the Latin “One Hope” referring to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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