Blessed Marianne Cope inducted into National Women's Hall of Fame

Published: 2005-10-19

SENECA FALLS, N.Y. (CNS) -- When Blessed Marianne Cope pursued a life of service more than 100 years ago, she wasn't aiming for fame or recognition, but simply to serve people because of her love for God. Little did she know that 143 years after her death, she would join an elite list of women pioneers with a posthumous induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame. Mother Marianne, the first person to be beatified in the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI, joined a diverse group of women "whose contributions to the arts, athletics, business, education, government, the humanities, philanthropy and science have been the greatest value for the development of their country." She and nine other "great women" joined 217 existing Hall of Fame members, including St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Catholic Worker movement co-founder Dorothy Day. Mother Marianne was selected for the honor for work that changed the face of medicine by "establishing two of the first 50 hospitals in New York state, developing rules for sanitation and hygiene and patients' rights, and transforming health care in Hawaii," and for treating people diagnosed with leprosy with compassion, dignity and care, said television journalist Karen Stone at the Oct. 8 induction ceremony.

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