The Sister Spotlight

Sr Imelda Poole IBVM was made Member of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours – this is a very special recognition for social or charitable work, awarded by Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II.

Imelda receives her MBE for creating an international network fighting human trafficking and exploitation (RENATE). Her influence in Albania is shown by the NGO Mary Ward Loreto. Together with Imelda, a very enthusiastic group of Friends of Mary Ward work tirelessly for Mary Ward Loreto’s projects.

Mary Ward Loreto has founded six Mary Ward centres working in prevention, awareness, counselling and rescuing of women. The centres have worked with 3,000 women, and set up various businesses to empower women and young adults. They also have a men’s project aimed at changing patriarchal culture and promoting gender equality. 

One Albanian Friend of Mary Ward summed up her impact like this: “Proud to have a friend, a teacher, a sister, a mother, a colleague and a boss like Imelda Poole.” (June 2018; picture: Sr Imelda at the Mary Ward Centre Toronto; taken from: www.albaniahope.com)