Dominican Sisters of Springfield Tribute
On May 18, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield received the Defenders of the Innocent Award from the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project. Below you can read some of the tributes to these wonderful women who work so tirelessly for justice, including justice for the innocence.
Larry Golden's Introduction of
The Dominican Sisters of Springfield
Recipients of the
Defenders of the Innocent Award
May 18, 2009
The Sisters' Support for the Community
I began working with the Dominicans on the thorny issue of the location of scattered site housing back in the mid-1990’s. My respect quickly grew for them as they helped lead this community through a very divisive racial issue laden with class and racial conflict.
A couple of years later, they joined with the university and the community in working on the Springfield Project to assist residents living on the east side of Springfield to gain greater control over their lives and their community and to improve the neighborhoods that they lived in.
The Sisters' Support for the Innocence Project
Not long after, they agreed to assist in the formation of the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project. Their opposition to the death penalty and their compassion for those who are wrongfully convicted led them to take an active role, particularly as we worked on our attempt to exonerate Julie Rea Harper of Lawrenceville, Illinois.
The Dominican Sisters have quietly fought for social justice in Springfield and throughout the world. They have sisters in Peru. They have sisters in Iraq. They have fought for a better life in those countries and other areas of the world.
A Personal Note
I’ll end this tribute on another personal note. My youngest daughter has had the possibility of going to work for an organization called TransFair USA in Oakland, California. TransFair is an organization that certifies products for fair trade. It is concerned with the working conditions and just compensation of the workers who produce the items.
A couple of years ago, my daughter called me one night and asked, “Do you think the Dominican Sisters of Springfield who are listed as supporters of TransFair is the same group you work with?”
Knowing their commitment to social justice, without even checking, I quickly assured my daughter that they were surely the same group. This is a group that does not shy away from controversy if it benefits people throughout the world in accord with their principles. It is just an incredibly great honor for me to present the 2009 Defenders of the Innocent Organizational Award to the Dominican Sisters of Springfield.
Questions?
The Meet Our Gift Officer link at left will introduce you to Stacey Willenborg, who works on behalf of the Center for State Policy and Leadership. She will be happy to respond to your questions.
You can also use the Send Us Your Question link or contact our office directly at 217.206.6058.
Are you a student who has worked within the Innocence Project?
We'd love to hear your story. What have you appreciated most about the program? How would you encourage donors to give? Please send your comments to our web writer, Marilyn Kok. We would love to add more students' comments to this site.
We look forward to hearing from you.
