First Lady Katie O'Malley Delivers Remarks to Marian House "Inspiring Women" Breakfast Series

 

BALTIMORE, MD (May 1, 2008) – First Lady Katie O’Malley today delivered a keynote address to more than 100 female professionals and business leaders at the first of Marian House’s “Inspiring Women” breakfast speaker series.  The series intends to highlight inspiring women – high achievers and those who are working hard to pull themselves out of difficult situations. 

“I am honored to be the first to address Marian House’s speaker series, and am honored to participate in an incredible effort to help others,” said Judge O’Malley.  “As women, we have inspiration all around us – a long legacy left by individuals throughout history that had the courage to stand up and make a difference – even if it was not the easy thing to do, even if it was not the popular thing to do.  This is a chance for us to combine our resources, our energy, and our compassion to really make a difference, just as so many women have before us.”

Marian House, a joint project of the Sisters of Mercy and the School Sisters of Notre Dame, first opened its doors to homeless women in April 1982.  They empower at risk women and their families by providing safe, orderly, and loving homes for residents and delivering the services they need to live healthy, stable, and productive lives. 

“Together, we share the belief that just one person can make a difference, and each of us must try. That is our responsibility – to make every effort to help others around us,” she said.  “Working together, we can make a difference, we can heal our families, and we can make Maryland stronger.”

Marian House serves homeless women who have suffered poverty, addiction, abuse, mental illness or incarceration. Their services include: meals, transportation, personal counseling, life skills training, employment assistance, pre-GED education, drug/alcohol screening, financial guidance, a savings program, scholarship aid, support in achieving family reunification, and access to affordable permanent housing. Residents remain in the transitional program for up to 24 months, and can then move into permanent housing units. During 2007, Marian House provided housing and services for 115 women and 43 children.