Sr Stan Receives Honorary Doctorate from Dublin City University

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Social innovator honoured alongside former President of the United States, Bill Clinton

Dublin City University has conferred an Honorary Doctorate on Sr Stanislaus Kennedy, along with former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, and Martin Naughton, founder of Glen Dimplex. The ceremony took place this morning in The Helix at DCU's Glasnevin Campus.

Sr Stan, who has been a member of the congregation of Religious Sisters of Charity since 1958 told guests at the ceremony,

“I accept this great honour not for myself but on behalf of the hundreds of people who came to me seeking help, support and justice over the past nearly 60 years. And I accept it on behalf of the hundreds of people who helped and supported me and fought with me to give them what was their right. I was only one. I could have done little on my own.”

Sr Stan, as the nun is affectionately known, co-founded Young Social Innovators with Rachel Collier in 2001 when they recognised the many young people in Ireland who wanted to be active citizens, but who did not have the opportunity to do so. With the help of hundreds of teachers and volunteers, the organisation now has over 6,000 young people every year engaging as active citizens, working for others in their community.

Rachel Collier, CEO, Young Social Innovators, said,

“Young Social Innovators is so proud today as DCU  confers our co-founder, Sr Stan with an Honorary Doctorate, along with former President of the United State Bill Clinton and Martin Naughton. Sr Stan's commitment to education and youth development during her life has led to many initiatives which enhance the lives of young people and have empowered thousands to innovate for the good of humanity.”

As well as co-founding Young Social Innovators, Sr Stan established Focus Point in 1985 which is now Focus Ireland, the biggest national, voluntary organisation helping people to find, create and maintain a home. In 1998 Sr Stan founded The Sanctuary, a meditation/spirituality centre in the heart of Dublin city and in 2001 Sr Stan established the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI), an independent national organisation working to promote the rights of immigrants through information, advocacy and legal aid.