Sister Maureen McGowan, RGS
Maureen McGowan is a Good Shepherd Sister and is currently the director of HandCrafting Justice. A social worker by profession, Maureen has offered support to children and families in alternative school settings for many years. In her desire to build networks of women and sisters around the world, Maureen has visited women artisans around the world who partner with Good Shepherd in the work of Fair Trade and women’s economic empowerment.
HandCrafting Justice developed from the most humble, grassroots beginnings. The Good Shepherd Sisters work are in 67 countries, and share a mission of empowerment to women and girls and families who are marginalized in society for various reasons. They believe passionately in the dignity and unique value of each person. This commits them to join with all who struggle for a world, which is just and fair for all. For people in many parts of the world, poverty is the major enemy and a difficult cycle to break. Families struggle with malnutrition, ill health, unemployment, illiteracy, homelessness, and constant anxiety for the future of their children. Women and children generally bear the heaviest burdens of poverty. In addition to the holistic support services established to respond to the most basic needs of these families, the Good Shepherd Sisters have established many skills-training and employment generating projects for those living in poverty. The international network of Good Shepherd is able to assist through HandCrafting Justice and other marketing projects in the following ways:
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Marketing items they make
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Raising consciousness of the situations in which they live
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Creating opportunities for women and men in the U.S. to get involved
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Telling the stories of women, men and children
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Creating networks of justice and solidarity in search of sustainable economic options for those in the developing world
Maureen helped to found HandCrafting Justice in 1997. After its humble beginnings as sales out of a duffle bag, HCJ has become a fully certified non-profit organization, partnering with 20 countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia, and a sales network reaching across the United States and online. Learn more and shop at www.handcraftingjustice.org and join with Maureen in this work of justice for women and girls around the world!
For more information on how to get HandCrafting Justice School Uniforms:
Phone: 718.969.1966
Fax: 718.380.8664
Chef Kate Wayler
Kathryn (Kate) L. Wayler graduated from New York City Technical College in 1982 with high honors and an Associate’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. She continued her education with the State University of New York earning a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, and just recently completed her Master’s degree in Nutrition and Food Studies at New York University.
She traveled worldwide continuing her training with culinary and pastry experts in Belgium, Italy, and throughout the United States. While attending classes, she worked full time in various restaurants and the corporate kitchens of Morgan Guaranty Trust Company, Salomon Brothers, and for the past 18 years as Chef and Pastry Chef for the United States Trust Company. Additionally, she earned the title of Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Hospitality Department of New York City College of Technology (CITYTECH), City University of New York (CUNY), where she has been teaching pastry, baking, and culinary classes since 1995. In addition to her classes at CITYTECH she also teaches a Virtual Restaurant Management course during the winter session for the Tourism and Hospitality Department’s “College Now” program at Kingsborough Community College, CUNY, as well as, a Wine Foundation course for the Department of Continuing Education at Kingsborough.
As of June, 2006, Kate Wayler has accepted a full time position as “Director of Catering, Outside Events and Education” for the Rotunda at Kingsborough. The Rotunda is an exquisite 12,000 sq. ft. rental event space overlooking beautiful Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic Ocean through floor-to-ceiling two-story windows.
Ms. Wayler holds membership in eight culinary organizations. She has won numerous awards in her field with the most recent being awarded last November by the Chefs de Cuisine Association of America. Ms. Wayler was the recipient of the coveted Raymond Vaudard Medal. She was the first woman to ever receive this award. Moreover, in 1998 Chef Wayler worked with the Brooklyn-Queens Catholic Diocese Immigration Program, “Resources”, and the brainchild of Monsignor Ronald Marino. There she taught culinary classes to immigrants at Regina Pacis Church in Brooklyn under the leadership of the Program Director, Chef Carl Esposito with the intention of helping them enter the food industry.
Chef Wayler can be reached at:
The Rotunda at Kingsborough Community College
2001 Oriental Boulevard
Brooklyn, NY 11235
(718) 368-6684
kwayler@kbcc.cuny.edu
