Tree dedication to Sr. Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN, at 3pm front circle, Main Hall: October 14, 2021 - 3:00 pm
Notre Dame Chapel

Sr. Dorothy Stang, martyred on February 12, 2005, in Anapu, Para, Brazil for her work to defend the rights of indigenous people living in the Amazon Rain Forest, is being honored at Trinity Washington University on the occasion of her 15th year since her death.  Dorothy was shot 6 times while walking the path to a meeting with the people concerned with land rights.  Since the 15th anniversary came just as the pandemic began, we are holding this simple ceremony in her honor today, near the Notre Dame Chapel.

Since her death, Sr. Dorothy has been remembered in various ways by her community in Anapu.  Each year, there is a pilgrimage to her place of death and her burial place, where they say, “Sr. Dorothy is planted.”  And a newly identified screech owl, found in the Amazon Rainforest, has been named in her honor: metascopsStangaie, as the scientists documenting its discovery were aware of Sr. Dorothy’s story and named it for her.  Fishermen fish in her name and children are baptized Dorothy.  Today, Trinity honors our Sister of Notre Dame de Namur from Ohio and from Anapu, Brazil, as we commemorate the 15th anniversary of her death by gunshot.  Please come to this outdoor, in-person, mask wearing event.– Sr. Ann