That’s a Wrap! Award-Winning “Exploring Intersections” Concludes

On March 9, employees at the BVM Center in Dubuque, Iowa, gathered together to support BVM President LaDonna Manternach as she joined the discussion, “Navigating the Road Ahead” on the final episode of Exploring Intersections.

Popcorn, hugs, and cheers rounded out the bittersweet event, made even more special as one of our own, “brought it home.”

It’s been one year since Exploring Intersections: Catholic Sisters on Racism, Migration and Climate launched . . . and so much has been accomplished.

The collaborative project of Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) Region X, included congregations in Iowa, eastern Missouri, and Nebraska. LaDonna and Sisters of Charity BVM, Communications Director Angie Connolly served on the 11-member steering committee, comprised of five representatives from leadership and six communicators from St. Louis and SUN.

Each month, a different social issue topic was explored, with discussion on how it intersects racism, migration, and climate. Host Charish Badzinski moderated the nuanced conversation among Catholic sisters and selected guest panelists as they shared their wisdom, thought provoking ideas, and unique perspectives. Topics included gender equality, care of creation, migration, racial justice, ending human trafficking, eliminating gun violence, economic justice, food security, restorative justice, affordable housing, education justice, equitable access to healthcare, and navigating the road ahead.

As one can imagine, a project of this magnitude takes a village. In all, 36 women leaders and communicators, representing 24 congregations worked together to bring the big issues of our day to a public forum, with a Catholic perspective.

In October, the group received the Outstanding Integrated Campaign Award at the 2021 Communicators for Women Religious Conference in Memphis, Tenn. “This award is the testament to so many hours of divergent thinking, planning, marketing, technical directing, designing, coordinating, studying, coaching, scheduling and just plain hard work that was put into this project,” states Charish. “Thank you all for allowing me to be a part of this vitally important and ongoing conversation about issues that matter. I stand in awe of what is being accomplished!”

Reflecting on the experience, LaDonna shares, “Exploring Intersections was a wonderful, collaborative effort of the congregations within LCWR Region X, both leadership and communicators. I think it surprised us all – becoming a much bigger container than we imagined at first, but which fit the enormity and weightiness of the topics. It was a learning experience for all who planned and carried it out, including the host, panelists, and listeners.

It was a pleasure to be one of the panelists. I will admit that it was not my first choice to do it, but I really loved working with our host, Charish. She made the challenge to summarize the series enjoyable, and it was great to recognize and celebrate the women who contributed to its success.”

Miss an episode? No problem! All sessions are available at: https://exploringintersections.org/schedule-of-events/