of NETWORK and the 8th Day Center for Justice, a coalition of Catholic religious congregations striving for social change. BVM sisters and their associates collaborate with other women religious and advocacy organizations on issues such as immigration reform, human trafficking, opposition to the death penalty, and nonviolence, especially for women and children. The community has also taken a corporate stance against the death penalty, has declared that the Mount Carmel campus in Dubuque is a nuclear-free zone, and supports national comprehensive immigration reform. Since its beginning, the community has responded to the current needs of the day. There are sisters living in nineteen states, and in three foreign countries: Ghana, Ecuador, and Guatemala. Ministries of the sisters include working as hospital, hospice, and prison chaplains, working with those with addictions, people with AIDS, pastoral service, spiritual direction, counseling, and education. November 1, 2007 was a year of jubilee to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The theme of the year was “Crossing the Waters, Currents of Hope: Celebrating 175 years of BVM Presence and Partnership”. Notable members Sister Anne Carr - theology professor Mother Mary Frances Clarke - founder Sister Catherine Dunn - past president of Clarke College Judith Ann Mayotte - former member, author, refugee expert Mary Kenneth Keller - first person to receive a Ph.D. in computer science Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt – chaplain of the Loyola University Chicago men's basketball team; became a media celebrity during the team's 2018 Final Four run. References Sources Harrington, Ann BVM. Creating Community: Mary Frances Clarke and Her Companions. Dubuque, Iowa: Mount Carmel Press, 2004. McDonnell, Mary Jane BVM, et al. Clarke Lives. Dubuque, Iowa: Clarke College, 1993. Sisters of Charity BVM. Salt: Charting BVM History, 1984. Sisters of Charity BVM. Constitutions. Dubuque, Iowa: Mount Carmel Press, 1989. Official website (10 November 2007). External links Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Carmel High School in Mundelein Clarke College Gannon Center for Women and Leadership Loyola University Chicago Mundelein College Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Catholic Encyclopedia article Dubuque, Iowa Religious organizations established in 1833 Catholic female orders and societies Catholic teaching orders Catholic religious institutes established in the 19th century 1833 establishments in the United States Women in Iowa