Lay leader Donna Hanson is honored, urges end to sexism in church

Published: 2005-02-23

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Donna M. Hanson of Spokane, Wash., a leader for 40 years in Catholic social work, called for an end to sexism in the church as she received the Harry A. Fagan Roundtable Award Feb. 19 for her contributions to Catholic Charities and social justice locally, nationally and internationally. The award was presented in Washington during the annual meeting of the Roundtable, the national association of diocesan social action directors. In her talk Hanson asked her fellow social action leaders "for your help in assuring that sexism join racism as the insidious evils that must be eradicated from our church and our world." Born and raised in Paducah, Ky., Hanson earned a master's degree in social work from Jesuit-run St. Louis University in 1964 and has worked with Catholic Charities since then. She has worked for the Spokane Diocese since 1974, as associate director of Catholic Charities, 1974-78, and as secretary for Catholic Charities and diocesan social ministries since 1978.

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