In the heart of Kansas City, nestled amid rolling farmland, lies a monastery unlike any other. Meet the Benedictine sisters of Mount St Scholastica – an unlikely force of shareholder activists taking on corporate giants with a sense of purpose and conviction.
- Defying Expectations: Led by Sister Barbara McCracken, these 80 nuns have made waves by challenging the practices of major companies like Google, Target, and Citigroup. Their advocacy spans from calling for AI oversight to pushing for the rights of Indigenous people, much to the disdain of some corporations who view them as irritants.
- Educational Pioneers: With a strong tradition of women’s education, the sisters have founded numerous schools and hold several doctorates among them. Despite their monastic life, their professional backgrounds include medical experts, lawyers, and musicians who have always shared their earnings for the common good.
- Activist Investing: Despite humble beginnings, the nuns began investing to care for elderly sisters and shifted towards responsible investing to align with their values. Through shareholder resolutions at corporate annual meetings, they seek to prompt change in policies they perceive as harmful, advocating for human rights, ethical lobbying, non-discrimination, and fair drug pricing.
- Endurance and Perseverance: While facing challenges and rarely seeing their resolutions adopted, the sisters remain steadfast in their mission. Working closely with the Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility, they strive to raise awareness and promote social justice causes, embodying the Benedictine ethos of prayer, work, and shared resources.
- Legacy of Faith-Based Activism: Deeply rooted in Catholic social teachings, the nuns see their activism as an extension of their beliefs in justice, environmental stewardship, and the common good. Whether it be advocating for climate change action or challenging societal norms, they uphold their values with unwavering dedication and commitment.
In a world where advocacy and activism take various forms, the Benedictine sisters of Mount St Scholastica stand out as a beacon of hope and resilience. Through their unconventional approach to shareholder activism and unwavering faith, these nuns exemplify the power of collective action towards a more just and equitable society. As Sister McCracken aptly puts it, "Living according to the gospel intersects with politics and economics – it’s just the nature of being an active citizen."
