Sister Ann Keefe was a mensch among leaders

Sister Ann Keefe

I first met Sister Ann Keefe eight years ago. The Jewish community, through the Community Relations Council, was in the process of forming an interfaith coalition to reduce poverty. We had recruited Rev. Dr. Donald Anderson and Linda Katz of the Poverty Institute (now called the Economic Progress Institute). They suggested we contact Sister Ann, not Sister Ann Keefe. Not being a Christian, I was not sure I could address a Sister by her first name only. Although uncomfortable, I called and asked to speak to Sister Ann. She said hello. And that was the beginning of a wonderful relationship. Dare I say there were a couple of times when I actually called her Ann?

As many of you know, Sister Ann Keefe passed away Jan. 15. She had been ill for some time. Sister Ann had a passion for the civil rights of everyone. She deplored violence and poverty. She advocated for virtually anything that would make the lives of the disadvantaged better; education, homelessness, health care, food and nonviolence. She was a true champion of the people.

Sister Ann always left a powerful impression on everyone she met and spoke to. Even if you disagreed with her, you respected her. Even if you disagreed with her, you enjoyed her as a person. Simply said, Sister Ann was a mensch among mensches. Governors, senators, congressmen, mayors of great cities and leaders of all faiths respected Sister Ann. She was a Rhode Island icon to be proud of.

On Jan. 6, Rhode Island swore in its first female governor, Gina Raimondo. The new governor spoke of a commitment to improving the lives of all Rhode Islanders, especially those people in need. She pointed out that we must fulfill the dreams and work of Sister Ann.

The next day, Jan. 7, the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty held its Seventh Annual Vigil at the State House. Coalition Co-chair Maxine Richman asked the attendees for a brief moment of prayer for Sister Ann. She had been a strong voice and leading advocate of the coalition since its inception.

Perhaps it was fitting that Sister Ann passed away during the weekend-long celebration of another civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. Throughout Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the remainder of the week, every civil rights event paid tribute to two civil rights leaders – Martin Luther King Jr. and Sister Ann Keefe.

At the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Breakfast, hosted by the Ministers Alliance, Rev. Jabulani McCalister of Calvary Baptist Church in Providence asked that everyone to give Sister Ann Keefe a standing ovation in tribute to her inspiration. Every speaker took a moment to reflect on Sister Ann’s life and her legacy as it related to civil rights and the great Martin Luther King Jr. The    speakers included Sen. Jack Reed, Rep. David Cicilline, Gov. Raimondo, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung and Rev. Dr. Anderson of the R.I. State Council of Churches.

Speaker after speaker not only talked about her passion for social responsibility, but also how everyone can make positive change happen. Mayor Elorza said, “She showed us that one committed person can change the world.” Certainly Sister Ann changed Rhode Island.

Keynote speaker Rev. Dr. James Evans, professor of Systemic Theology at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, spoke of racial tension in our country. He spoke about the oppression of minorities in America today citing the incidents of Ferguson, Missouri, and New York City. He called for the civil rights of everyone. “We should all be allowed to breathe freely.”

While Evans spoke, I could only think of what Sister Ann might say or think. I believe she would have condemned the acts by the police. She would have marched right into the Public Safety complex in Providence as well as into the State Police headquarters and called for an end to racial profiling. First she would politely say hello to the commissioners. She may even ask about their families. Next she might say, “You know you are doing a pretty good job.” Then she would say something like this: “Racial profiling, bullying and police brutality have got to stop. Too many innocent people are being injured and killed in our country. I do not want to see this happen in our great state. What can we do together to make sure this does not happen here?” It would be said firmly and with compassion for everyone involved.

Sister Ann received her share of awards. I was honored to give her a citation for her dedication to helping make the vacant Broad Street Synagogue a place for the community in the Elmwood section of Providence. Unfortunately, Sister Ann was not well enough to attend the ceremony.  I will always be grateful, however, that I got a chance to call her name and present her award to the community at Congregation Beth Sholom.

Sister Ann was a friend. I felt her power when I attended meetings where she spoke. However, more important, I felt her passion, devotion and dedication to helping people who needed help. Sister Ann was a true civil rights leader.

MARTY COOPER is director of the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Alliance.