In the Spotlight Sister Lee Ann McNally, RSM

Amazing Journeys

Having spent the last four years traveling to Arkansas jails to teach life skills to female inmates, Sister Lee Ann McNally, RSM, says she right where God wants her to be. As the founder and Executive Director for Center for Women in Transition, Sister Lee Ann, as well as the entire staff of her organization, "believes in each person's right to be treated with dignity and respect.? Before founding the Center for Women in Transition, Sister Lee Ann led Sophia's Center, a spirituality center for women in the Diocese of Little Rock. She was moved to visit county jails out of a desire to help women who were in spiritual deprivation and, because of their incarceration, could not come to her. The helpful classes Sister Lee Ann taught gained the attention of several inmates, and her role as teacher transpired into a full-time job after Sgt. Robin Ballard asked Sister Lee Ann if she would visit the jail more often. Sister Lee Ann courteously accepted the offer. "If we can help these women develop some sort of selfrespect, then that's a reward to me,? Sister Lee Ann replied. Much success has generated from the programs Sister Lee Ann has implemented. Daphany

Photography by Nancy Nolan

Styling by Nancy Sheppard Ragland, a former student in Sister Lee Ann's class at the Little Rock jail, now works as the Mentor Coordinator at the Center for Women in Transition. Previously, Daphany spent half her life in the prison system and was finally released two years ago. While she was incarcerated, she attended Sister Lee Ann's classes. Daphany admitted she "was looking for hope? when she began the classes, and clung to something Sister Lee Ann once told her: "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.? At first, that statement didn't make sense to Daphany because she wasn't allowing herself to open up and embower the achievements she could accomplish. But eventually, "hope came alive inside of me,? Daphany revealed, as, unexpectedly, appeared "this nun in my life who was always positive.? "Sister Lee Ann is determined to see us reach our goals and she is supportive,? Daphany noted. "She saw in me what I didn't see in myself.? Today Daphany is attending college and is a certified chaplain. When asked what the biggest reward was as a result of Sister Lee Ann's teaching, Daphany replied that "watching [her] life change in a good way and extending that help to others? was her proudest accomplishment. Humbly, Sister Lee Ann did announce that she feels she is a good teacher. Rightfully so, as she has more than 30 years of teaching experience, as well as a Masters' degrees in Secondary Education and Pastoral Studies. Named Volunteer of the Year by the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office in 2006 and honored in 2007 at the Legendary Women's Banquet, Sister Lee Ann's efforts have been passaby noted by those in our community. She genuinely cares about the women she teaches, an attribute that can be seen by the work she has done and the enthusiasm of her students when they speak about her classes. In return for her efforts, Sister Lee Ann again commented that all she wanted was "to see these women become proud of themselves.? The Center for Women in Transition is hosting a fundraiser, Jeans, Beans, and Bingo, in the River Market on October 2, 2008. The event will be the organizations first major fundraiser, and it will feature five games of bingo in a casual atmosphere. A catfish and barbeque dinner, as well as beverages, desserts and an available bar, is all for the taking for only $50 a person. Sponsorship opportunities are still available; tables of ten may be purchased at a reduced rate of $450. Bingo winners will each receive "Amazing Journeys,? which are trips to various destinations named after what Sister Lee Ann calls "the subtitle of the Center's program.? "Each woman [in the program] experiences an amazing journey,? she remarked, adding that along with the similarly named bingo prizes, an additional auction will be held for a cruise. For more information about this event and volunteering for this organization, please contact Kathy or Daphany at (501) 372-5522. 41 Inviting Arkansas

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september 2008 thank you, thank you, muchas gracias, thank you!stackable, flippable....adorable!editor's page 5 healthy teeth what makes the foundation of our new building so strong? faith.the allen school celebrates 50 years 9 now open! ???on the cover 13 historic hillcrest touching america scene&beseen scene&beseen scene&beseen scene&beseen soho scene&beseen 200 scene&beseen scene&beseen scene&beseen check 27 for 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 gregg ??????why not????? amazing journeysyou deserve a second chance ? beautiful skin dining in dining out amiamo il ritorante de amalfi's be a hot mama!what's hospice supporters and foodies delight!floral artistry tux 'n trees lots of margaritas for lovely senoritas ????????? ????????? ????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????traveling grand opening and new location celebration ??????????????????????

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proust questionnaire last look eat. play.????????????????????? ???????????????????