A small number of people are so well known that they are referred to by the public solely by their first name. Sister Stan, who died yesterday, was one of them. She was a woman greatly valued for her life of service to the homeless and marginalised in society and respected for her determination to speak up for them.
Her relentless advocacy on behalf of the poor was born of experience in trying to assist them on the ground. From her early years after joining the Irish Sisters of Charity, when she started helping on community projects, to work on homelessness and the founding of Focus Ireland – and later the Immigrant Council of Ireland – she made a real impact on the lives of thousands of people.
This gave her unmatched credibility in advocating for the poor, the homeless and the dispossessed. And she used her platform courageously and effectively, writing articles, appearing on radio and TV and pushing politicians to provide better supports and services.
Sr Stan was not afraid to ruffle feathers. Former taoiseach Charles Haughey once referred to her in a meeting as “the most intransigent woman I have ever met.” She rightly saw this as a badge of honour. It was this determination that ensured that she had a real influence on policy.
RM Block
Her life was based on a strong belief in social justice and equality, which lay behind her determination to speak up for the marginalised. She spoke for those who had no platform and no voice, acting as a national conscience even – or especially – at times when a fast-changing society was awash with complacency or self-congratulation.
She had a remarkable ability to drive the development of invaluable facilities and services, providing beds, food, advice and more to those most in need. She was well aware that she was often doing work the State should be doing.
Sr Stan leaves a powerful legacy. It is there in the organisations she set up and the people whose lives she improved. And it is there in the message that, when the cause is as important as hers, intransigence is the only way.
