1981
Sister Stan
The Journey of a Visionary
Celebrating the life and legacy of Sister Stanislaus Kennedy
A Life in Service
Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy, born Treasa in 1939 to Bridie and Tadgh Kennedy in the townland of Rinn Bhuí, on the Dingle peninsula, Ireland. The house she grew up in for seventeen years was a two-storey farmhouse situated beside the river and built by her father and grandfather in 1916.
In 1957 she joined the Religious Sisters of Charity in Dublin, a congregation founded by Mary Aikenhead in 1815. After her ‘profession’ in 1960 she was missioned to Stanhope Street for two years. It was here she developed her talent for working with young people. Throughout her sixty-eight years as a religious, the vision of Mary Aikenhead is what always her inspiration. (www.rsccaritas.com)
In 1963, Sr Stan as she was affectionately known, moved to Kilkenny where, alongside Bishop Peter Birch, she was involved in the development of social services across the diocese. She says she “learned everything she knew about Social Services, Community Work and Social Justice” from him. During her time in Kilkenny and alongside Pat Brennan 1971 – 1981 the historic Kilkenny Child Care course was born.
During her twenty years in Kilkenny she qualified in Social Science at UCD (BSocSc), a Post Graduate Diploma in Youth Work from Manchester University (PDipYW), and Masters in Social Policy (MSp) in UCD.
%201.avif)
In I983 She returned to Dublin as a Senior Research fellow at UCD focusing her research on the nature and extent of homelessness among women in Dublin. This was the first research conducted in Ireland on Homelessness.
During the late 20th and early 21st century her broad learning continued to expand and deepen. she was elected on to the General Council of her Congregation 1995 – 2007. Her position as part of a team involved policy making and strategic planning throughout the world including visits and experiences of life in Venezuela, Africa, Australia and USA. She also visited India.
A Lifetime of Advocating for Social Justice
Six decades of appointments in public and civic life.
1970
Board Member
South Eastern Health Board (SEHB)
1974–1980
First Chair
Combat Poverty Agency Ireland
1980
Coordinator
European Rural Network to Combat Poverty
1995–2007
General Council Member
Religious Sisters of Charity
1997–2004
Council of State Member
Appointed by President Mary McAleese
Founding Organisations
A legacy built in action, not words.
1985
Focus Ireland
Achieviend a society where everyone has a secure, permanent home, and homelessness is a thing of the past.
1998
The Sanctuary
Nourishing Personal growth for Greater Social Impact
2000
Immigrant Council Ireland
A society that is fair, respects human rights and diversity and is committed to everyone, including people from a migrant background having the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
2001
Young Social Innovators
Ireland's young people feel inspired, empowered and equipped to change the world for good.
Awards
A selection of honours received throughout her lifetime.
Year
Award
Kerry Person of the Year
1982
Honorary Doctorate in Law, Trinity College Dublin
1993
University of New York Special Honour for commitment to the disadvantaged in Ireland
1996
Lord Mayor of Dublin Award
2003
Honorary Doctorate in Law, National University of Ireland
2004
Meteor Awards Humanitarian of the Year
2005
Honorary Degree of Doctor, The Open University
2014
Irish Independent Readers Poll, Ireland's Greatest Woman
2014
UCD Foundation Day Alumni, Social Science
2015
Carmichael Centre Outstanding Contribution to Civic Society Award
2015
RTE Radio 1 Ray Darcy Poll, Ireland's National Treasure
2015
International Women's Forum, Women Who Make a Difference
2017
DIT Social Justice Hero Award
2017
Fitzgerald Bible Bruff Award
2017
Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy, Dublin City University
2017
Irish Tatler Woman of the Year
2020
Han Honour, Finnish Foreign Embassy
2022
Honorary Doctor of Letters, University of Limerick
Shop
Her Story, In Her Own Words
"The Road Home, My Journey" is Sr Stan's memoir, published by Transworld Ireland in 2012. Available from The Sanctuary.
