[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 170 (Tuesday, December 3, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1784-E1785]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN REMEMBRANCE OF RENOWNED WOMEN'S RIGHTS ADVOCATE SISTER MARY NERNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 3, 2013

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the passing of East 
Harlem's beloved Sister Mary Nerney who passed away on November 27, 
2013 at the age of 75. Sister Mary Nerney was a dear friend of mine and 
a pillar to our community as she advocated for women with histories of 
abuse and trauma. Although I speak with grief of such an overwhelming 
loss, I ascend to rejoice a life well lived and proudly remember the 
accomplishments of a remarkable woman.
  Sister Mary Nemey was admired for her leading role in the Catholic 
social justice movement in New York City. As unemployment, violence, 
and drug use began affecting women disproportionately in Harlem during 
the late 1970s, Sister Nerney undertook the challenge of constructing a 
pathway for female prisoners to reenter society. Through her diligent 
work, Sister Mary was able to found numerous alternatives to 
incarceration programs designed for female offenders.
  In 1975, Sister Mary Nerney formed Project Green Hope: Services for 
Women Inc. in Harlem to offer a treatment program for formerly 
incarcerated women. As envisioned by Sister Nemey, her organization 
developed formal relationships with the criminal justice system and 
expanded its work to include services for women on parole. Through 
Sister Nerney's leadership, the program has helped over 4,000 women 
reclaim their lives by reestablishing contact with their families and 
children, enrolling in educational programs and securing housing at 
their Green Hope Houses.
  Sister Mary Nerney also founded STEPS To End Family Violence in 1986 
after she saw a great need for services for the victims of gender-based 
violence and trauma in New York jails and prisons. And though STEPS 
began with a staff of two, Sister Nerney developed it into an extensive 
network of comprehensive services and innovative programs for abused 
women. Thanks to Sister Nerney's constant work, STEPS now offers 
essential teen programs, children's therapy, counseling, and legal 
services to help prevent further gender-related violence and trauma.
  Sister Nemey was loved in our community because of her constant work 
with staple organizations and her unwavering Women's Rights activism. 
She was a proud member of the Pax Christi Catholic Peace Movement, the

[[Page E1785]]

New York State Coalition Against Violence, the New York Coalition for 
Women Prisoners and the Legal Aid Society Board. Her outstanding 
commitment to Women's Rights Advocacy has won her awards from the 
Network Women of Justice in 1997 and the Human Services Consortium of 
East Harlem for 30 years of outstanding work in the community. Sister 
Mary also founded the Incarcerated Mothers Program and was a founding 
member of the Coalition for Women Prisoners. Only days before her 
death, our dear Sister Nerney continued to counsel inmates and visit 
prisons with the message of hope for a better life.
  Mr. Speaker, rather than mourn her passing, I hope that my colleagues 
will join me in celebrating the life of my friend Sister Mary Nerney by 
remembering that she exemplified greatness in every way.

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