HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 14766 (Citizen of the Year 2020)WHEREAS,
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City of San Rafael
Richard P. O'Brien and Mary Ferrario O'Brien
Citizen of the Year Award
Presented to
The Dominican Sisters
The Dominican Sisters of San Rafael have had an unparalleled impact on the
community in the areas of education, social justice and health care. For more than 100
years, the Sisters have provided uncompromising leadership in the community through
their extensive education mission at Dominican University, The Garden School, San
Domenico School, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for individuals over 50
years of age, providing an educational world with a variety of courses to meet the
inquiring minds of many of our community members; and
The Sisters' dedication to the local community and the world at large is unsurpassed.
For many years in San Rafael they, and the college that they started and fostered, have
been an unparalleled asset for our growing City. They have provided a beautiful
campus atmosphere centered in a residential area, attracting students from around the
world. They have shared their campus and resources with the public at large. Angelica
Hall provides a wonderful venue for guest speakers and authors to talk to hundreds of
local residents. The Santa Sabina Center is a unique sanctuary in Marin where people
of all beliefs and cultural backgrounds can find sacred space and contemplative quiet.
The Sisters share this space with others for retreats, musical programs, conferences,
private study and reflection, etc.; and
their involvement in social justice issues from immigration to affordable housing to
advocating on behalf of the most vulnerable in our community has been a beacon of
inspiration and hope for all; and
in an age where incivility permeates all levels of our society, the Sisters have shown us
what it means to be thoughtful, patient and understanding. This was the case when the
Sisters pursued the Yellow Hallway at Lourdes Convent project, opening their home to
house two single mothers and their small children. The Sisters spent nearly two years
in the process, attending all City meetings and meeting with neighbors, spending their
own funds to remodel and bring the Convent wing into compliance with Code
requirements, in order to welcome two previously homeless families under their
Dominican roof. These women and their children are experiencing living in a safe,
loving home environment, benefitting from the support and companionship of the
Dominican Sisters. There aren't many who would voluntarily open their home to house
the homeless. The Sisters did it voluntarily and not without spending countless hours,
dollars and even their own elbow grease (the Sisters painted the wing themselves) to
see their dream of sharing their home with the less fortunate become a reality; and
The Sisters collective accomplishments of their quiet determination has bettered not
only our community but also everyone they have touched. They are silent warriors who
continue to persevere, selflessly pursuing their vision statement: "We reverence and
affirm the inherent dignity of each person. We will work for transformation of attitudes
and systems that deprive any person of dignity." All this for others and without any
expectation of acknowledgement. Remarkable, unsung, influential and visionary
leaders, the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael. The Sisters walk the walk and talk the
talk, working tirelessly to advance positive change in our San Rafael community and
the world.
NOW, THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the San Rafael City Council expresses its appreciation to The
Dominican Sisters efforts on behalf of their community and hereby awards them the Richard O'Brien and the Mary
Ferrario O'Brien Citizen of the Year Award.