{"id":30249,"date":"2022-03-31T01:56:45","date_gmt":"2022-03-31T01:56:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/?p=30249"},"modified":"2022-03-31T01:56:45","modified_gmt":"2022-03-31T01:56:45","slug":"longtime-social-justice-advocate-sister-janice-ryan-dies-at-age-86","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/2022\/03\/31\/longtime-social-justice-advocate-sister-janice-ryan-dies-at-age-86\/","title":{"rendered":"Longtime social justice advocate Sister Janice Ryan dies at age 86"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> [ad_1]<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"389018\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/sister-janice-ryan\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan.png\" data-orig-size=\"1808,1400\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Sister Janice Ryan\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Sister Janice Ryan speaks on the growth of participation in public hearings in Vermont in 1988. Screenshot&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan-300x232.png\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan-610x472.png\" width=\"610\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan-610x472.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-389018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan-610x472.png 610w, https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan-300x232.png 300w, https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan-125x97.png 125w, https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan-768x595.png 768w, https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan-1536x1189.png 1536w, https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan.png 1808w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"389018\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/sister-janice-ryan\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan.png\" data-orig-size=\"1808,1400\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Sister Janice Ryan\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Sister Janice Ryan speaks on the growth of participation in public hearings in Vermont in 1988. Screenshot&lt;\/p&gt;&#10;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan-300x232.png\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan-610x472.png\" width=\"610\" height=\"472\" src=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan-610x472.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-389018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan-610x472.png 610w, https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan-300x232.png 300w, https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan-125x97.png 125w, https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan-768x595.png 768w, https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan-1536x1189.png 1536w, https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sister-Janice-Ryan.png 1808w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px\"\/><figcaption>Sister Janice Ryan speaks on the growth of participation in public hearings in Vermont in 1988. Screenshot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Sister Janice Ryan, a leading Vermont advocate for social justice, died Wednesday, according to state and federal officials. She was 86.<\/p>\n<p>A member of the Sisters of Mercy, Ryan served as president of Trinity College of Vermont, deputy commissioner of the state Department of Corrections and education adviser to the late U.S. Sen. Jim Jeffords.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>State Rep. Tiff Bluemle, D-Burlington, announced Ryan\u2019s death Wednesday on the floor of the Vermont House.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHer contributions to Vermont and, indeed, to this body are almost impossible to catalog,\u201d Bluemle said. \u201cBut I\u2019d suggest that those of us who knew her will remember most the example she set \u2014 of how to be both candid and kind, how to listen deeply and advocate fiercely, to balance idealism and practicality.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Following her remarks, Bluemle called for a moment of silence to remember and honor Ryan\u2019s contributions to the state.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In a written statement, U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., called Ryan \u201ca force of nature\u201d and \u201ca human dynamo.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe made it her job to make policymakers uncomfortable as her way to achieving real change to help those who struggle,\u201d Leahy said. \u201cAnd indeed she made a real difference. The world is a better place for her selfless advocacy for others.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The senator said he and his wife, Marcelle, visited Ryan last weekend, knowing the end was near.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe were so moved to be with her one last time, as we said a prayer and to let her know what she means to us and to countless others,\u201d Leahy said in the statement. \u201cWith all Vermonters, we sorely feel this painful loss.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Born in Fairfield in 1936, Ryan joined the Sisters of Mercy while finishing high school in Burlington. She taught at the now-defunct Trinity College and, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.timesargus.com\/news\/ryan-named-deputy-corrections-chief\/article_db13cb85-43a1-5254-bafe-9fc412be28d4.html\" rel=\"noopener\">for 17 years, served as its president<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Ryan was a tireless advocate for social justice, special education and criminal justice reform and received several awards for her work.<\/p>\n<p>In 2006, she was recognized as one of four lifelong Vermonters who celebrated 50 years as a Sister of Mercy. In 2017, the Vermont Community Foundation honored her with a lifetime achievement award for community service.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo many lives over so many years have been changed by Sister Janice during her long career,\u201d Dan Smith, president and CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2017\/09\/15\/sister-janice-ryan-honored-lifetime-achievement-award-community-service\/\" rel=\"noopener\">said at the time<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In 2018, Ryan received an award for excellence from the New England Board of Higher Education at the University of Vermont, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vermontcatholic.org\/vermont\/sister-janice-ryan-receives-2018-excellence-award\/\" rel=\"noopener\">according to Vermont Catholic<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLife has given me many rich opportunities all of which were interesting and filled with challenges,\u201d she said at the time.<\/p>\n<p>In Washington, D.C., Ryan served as director of justice education and interfaith relations for the Justice Project. She also worked for Jeffords, the late senator from Vermont, and was project director of the Catholic Campaign to Ban Landmines.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>State Rep. Heidi Scheuermann, R-Stowe, said she got to know Ryan when the two worked for Jeffords. She called Ryan \u201ca fierce advocate for those less fortunate and marginalized.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen examining her life and her service to this state, I truly believe that Janice Ryan had as great an impact on this state as the most celebrated we know,\u201d Scheuermann said.<\/p>\n<p>Ryan fought for the passage of the Vermont Special Education Law and pushed for Congress to use it as a national model. She was also involved with the Innocence Protection Act, a first attempt in federal legislation to collect DNA to ensure that innocent people are not put to death.<\/p>\n<p>In 2003, Ryan became the deputy commissioner of corrections in Vermont and called it \u201ca life-changing event,\u201d according to Vermont Catholic. She continued working with prisoners after she retired.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is a sad day,\u201d Smith, of the Vermont Community Foundation, said in an emailed statement Wednesday. \u201cSister Janice was a remarkable person who touched countless lives across Vermont. She will be greatly missed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"below-story-bubble\" style=\"border: 3px solid #c8cf2c; font-family: Open Sans;\">\n<h2>Did you know VTDigger is a nonprofit?<\/h2>\n<p>Our journalism is made possible by member donations. If you value what we do, please contribute and help keep this vital resource accessible to all. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n<div class=\"latest-news-story\">Filed under: <\/p>\n<h3 class=\"caps cat-name cat-people-places\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/category\/people-places\/\" rel=\"noopener\">People &amp; Places<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"tags-links\">Tags: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/tag\/dan-smith\/\" rel=\"tag noopener\">Dan Smith<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/tag\/department-of-corrections\/\" rel=\"tag noopener\">Department of Corrections<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/tag\/doc\/\" rel=\"tag noopener\">DOC<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/tag\/heidi-scheuermann\/\" rel=\"tag noopener\">Heidi Scheuermann<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/tag\/janice-ryan\/\" rel=\"tag noopener\">Janice Ryan<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/tag\/leahy\/\" rel=\"tag noopener\">Patrick Leahy<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/tag\/sisters-of-mercy\/\" rel=\"tag noopener\">Sisters of Mercy<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/tag\/tiff-bluemle\/\" rel=\"tag noopener\">Tiff Bluemle<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/tag\/trinity-college\/\" rel=\"tag noopener\">Trinity College<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/tag\/trinity-college-of-vermont\/\" rel=\"tag noopener\">Trinity College of Vermont<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/tag\/vermont-community-foundation\/\" rel=\"tag noopener\">Vermont Community Foundation<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/tag\/vermont-department-of-corrections\/\" rel=\"tag noopener\">Vermont Department of Corrections<\/a><\/span> <\/p>\n<div class=\"single-author-photo\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/userphoto\/1730.jpeg\" alt=\"Auditi Guha\" width=\"150\" height=\"100\" class=\"user-photo\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/userphoto\/1730.jpeg\" alt=\"Auditi Guha\" width=\"150\" height=\"100\" class=\"lazyload user-photo\"\/><\/div>\n<footer class=\"author_bio_section\">\n<h2 class=\"author_name\">About Auditi<\/h2>\n<p class=\"author_details\">Auditi is a senior editor at VTDigger. 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