NETWORK Advocates for Social Justice – founded by 47 Catholic sisters in 1972 – is celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
April 2022
A mini legislative seminar and gala celebration is planned for April 21-23, 2022 in Washington, D.C. The former Executive Directors including our own Nancy Sylvester, IHM, in the video above (who was the second Executive Director) will be honored.
The goal of NETWORK is to bring justice and dignity to all with a focus on the poor and disenfranchised in society. The leadership of the women who embody NETWORK work to ignite hope in the world. Rooted in Catholic Social Justice they welcome all comers who share these values:
- Value and promote women for leadership positions.
- Work to incorporate people from all religious as well as secular backgrounds into the organization
- Welcome and affirm members of the LGBTQ+ community.
- They work to be a non-discriminatory and anti-racist group that works to make all organizations nondiscriminatory and anti-racist.
IHMs have been a part of NETWORK as Board members, staff, Congressional and State Coordinators, interns and advocates over the years. Here are a few stories from sisters that have contributed and participated in NETWORK, influencing their justice journey:
“Soon after the eight-member IHM Leadership Team was elected in 1994, the IHM Leadership Council established the IHM Justice Advocacy and Education Office (Sept. 12, 1994). Nancy Sylvester, the IHM Vice President, brought to the Leadership Team her many years of ministry with NETWORK. I was appointed the IHM Justice Advocacy and Education Coordinator. Our office participated in the 1995 pilot program: “The Legislative Action Fax Network” using the newly published NETWORK Resource: The Legislative Advocacy Handbook. This resource made it easier to respond to urgent legislation at the federal level in a timely and effective manner. The bimonthly action alerts were posted at the three time clocks for IHM employees to inform them about critical legislative issues. Our IHM justice and advocacy ministry involved education, phone calls, letters, endorsements, signing petitions, actions, prayer services, etc. After several years, the office was renamed the Justice, Peace and Sustainability Office (JPSO). NETWORK has influenced my ongoing commitment to justice, advocacy and peace. My phone calls, letters, political involvement and actions continue to this day.”
-Anne Wisda, IHM 1994-2000
June 16-21, 1985: PR 143 Profits…
Attended by Ann Aseltyne, IHM and Pat Aseltyne, IHM
“Ann and I were both Principals of schools: Ann at St. Felicitas in 
Chicago, IL and Pat at St. Paul the Apostle in Grand Rapids, MI. The Political stage was in flux, so we were looking for some stimulation. Our nephew, Bill Aseltyne was at that time a legislative assistant to U.S. Representative Sander Levin. Bill encouraged us to attend Network with a promise to be our special guide. The Network Program was titled, “Prophecy and Profits … Alternative Vision of our Economy.”
Two speakers, in particular, come to mind: U.S. Representative Geraldine Ferrari Queens, NY and U. S. Rep. William Gray, 2nd District, PA. Rep. Ferrari addressed her appreciation for the work that sisters in various communities were doing. Rep. Gray spoke to the economic divide that was so evident just a few blocks from the White House. Reading their bios now gives an insight into what must have inspired Ann and me on that day. Ann and I had attended Sister Marie Augustine Neal’s workshop “Pedagogy for the Non-poor” a few years earlier and found the presentations at Network a great follow-up. Our family has always been involved in social justice issues and in how our government deals with them.
I do believe that both Ann and I were led to recognize the need to follow the inspiration we received. Ann followed her desire to go to Africa to teach the poorest of the poor in Ghana, Uganda and South Africa. I became interested in workshops that led me to go to Houston, Texas to care for foster children and their families, some of whom had AIDS. Ann remained in her African missions for 18 years. During her summers home, Ann found it difficult to accept our way of life in America. I spent 20 years at Casa de Esperanza de Los Niños where I attended Workshops on AIDS and was able to bring comfort to people who were not able to understand the implications of AIDS. I, too, found it difficult to return. We talked a lot about this and realized that people with whom we ministered were so grateful to God, for their neighbors and for our concern for them that it encouraged our Spirit to continue to follow Jesus’ example of “go and do likewise.” It is difficult to express the gratitude and joy that comes from deep within.
-Pat Aseltyne, IHM
“Mary Ann Hinsdale and I attended the first Network Legislative Seminar in August 1972. We learned of the event when Bishop Thomas Gumbleton was apparently informed of the upcoming event through the Network staff as he was invited to attend which he did for the last few days of the week. Earlier that summer he told Mary Ann and me about it and registered and paid for us to attend. Mary Ann and I drove to DC and were quite thrilled to be able to be a part of this new initiative. I was beginning law school later that month and the seminar exposed me to people and advocacy initiatives.”
-Suzanne Sattler, IHM
I have been involved in Network in various ways for many years:
- Talked on economic justice for Legislative Seminar (1979).
- Spoke at annual Legislative Seminars in each of the following years during the 1980s.
- Served on Board of Directors and as Board Chair for one term (the early 1980s).
- Worked as a staff member with the title of Education Coordinator (1988-94).
- During this time, I wrote articles for each issue of the organization’s magazine and other educational materials.
- Have been a member ever since.
-Amata Miller, IHM
“Network’s Grassroots Mobilization Team from Washington, DC hosted nationwide Democracy events in the summer of 2021. Network called on communities to hold local events to rally support for the passage of the “For the People Act”. Network stated this federal legislation is the “gold standard” for Democracy – for free and fair elections for all citizens.
Network offered us toolkits, ideas, prayers, t-shirts and daily support to organize these events. This collaboration with Network was by far one of my best experiences in organizing a social justice event. I felt as if the Mobilization Team was in Monroe with us.
Due to Network’s initiative and encouragement our event, “Race to the Ballot Box” was very successful. Townspeople participated in an interactive, educational street theater to overcome Michigan’s suppressive proposed bills ( hurdles) and heard five diverse brief presentations from religious and civic leaders.
All of us who worked on the effort are so very grateful for Network and their social justice advocacy.”
-Sharon McNeil, IHM Associate