Reflections Magazine Issue #57 - Spring 2002 | Page 17

A history major at Siena Heights, Sr. Donna
went on to earn two master’s degrees (in
religious education and Catholic theology)
and a Doctor of Ministry in theology. Her
early career focused on education, including 14 years in elementary education and 15
years on the theology/education faculty at
Siena Heights, where she won the Outstanding Teaching Award and established a theological peace studies minor. Since moving
to El Paso, Texas, a decade ago, she has
worked to improve opportunities for poor
women on the Mexican-American border,
involving herself as a writer and an activist
in adult education, day care, problems of the
homeless, and border justice. In Sr. Donna’s
words, she has “walked with a group of very
poor women in their struggle for survival,
liberation and self determination.”

“Donna’s concern about the economically
poor and most vulnerable of our world, especially women who find themselves in deplorable situations, began many years ago during
her years as both student and instructor at
Siena Heights and continues today as she
ministers in Mexico and Texas,” says Marilee
Ewing, OP. Today, Sr. Donna is director
of Centro Santa Catalina, a women