ADRIAN, MI October 27, 2008 -  One of the highlights of the DLC Annual Meeting held here October 17-20,  was an affectionate tribute to Eileen Gannon, OP (Sparkill) the outgoing NGO Representative to the United Nations, New York and the celebration of ten years of presence there by the Dominican Family. Surprise guest and long time colleague Carol Zinn, SSJ, recalled for the members the early days of how the first religious women to come to the United Nations found their way among the complex and often mystifying maze of international organizations. Eileen was there in the midst of it.

Eileen has been actively advocating within the NGO Community on behalf of women and children, the humanitarian crisis in Iraq, human trafficking and HIV/AIDS.

LEFT: Carol Zinn, SSJ, long time colleague greets Eileen Gannon

A multimedia presentation highlighted the history of the Dominicans at the United Nations/New York and the 17 years of developing a ministry and mission on behalf of peace and justice. A video presentation from UN colleagues Kevin Dance, CP and Lucianne Siers, OP (Grand Rapids) along with DVUSA Volunteer Lauren Vater, extolled Eileen's contribution to the NGO community and, in a playful way, described the canonizaiton process of Eileen. Mary Murray, OP (Sparkill) was very pleased to express her congregation's appreciation of Eileen and all she has done in the name of her sisters. A standing ovation was long and sustained, but could not entirely express our gratitude.

Eileen contributed to the NGO Committee on Finance for Development and the NGO Committee on Social Development as well the working group on girls and the Working Group on Israel Palestine, among many projects. In her remarks, Carol Zinn recalled the beginnings of the R.U.N. group (Religious at the UN) which has been meeting every month for many years. Eileen was instrumental in creating the group and sustaining its mission.

On behalf of the DLC Executive Committee, Cass McDonnell, OP (Hope) President of the DLC, presented Eileen with a plague which read: With deep appreciation to Sr. Eileen Gannon, OP for your dedication and service to the Dominican Family as our NGO Representative to the United Nations in New York 1998 - 2008

Margaret Mayce, OP (Amityville) was introduced as the new NGO Representative