SSJs Support “Vote Our Future” Bus Tour
Sister Anne Alderman (right) with two others at the Nuns on the Bus & Friends stop in Ithaca, NY, in October 2024
The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Rochester shared their presence on this year’s Nuns on the Bus & Friends tour, organized by NETWORK Advocates for Catholic Social Justice. The “Vote Our Future” tour featured a group of 15 Catholic sisters and 15 multifaith advocacy representatives, traveling to 20 cities in 11 states across the country from September 30 to October 18. The initiative aimed to inspire “Catholics and all people of good will to be multi-issue voters” in the upcoming 2024 elections, focusing on critical issues such as immigration, child tax credits, climate change, housing, health care and racial justice.
One of the stops was in Ithaca, NY, on October 4, where Sisters Anne Alderman and Beth LeValley were among those who welcomed the bus in support of the initiative. During the stop, the group visited Loaves & Fishes of Tompkins County which provides “free meals, hospitality, companionship, and advocacy for those in need, regardless of their faith, beliefs, or circumstances.” The Ithaca stop also included a public press event and rally in Dewitt Park where the executive director and the volunteer coordinator of Loaves & Fishes highlighted their mission to foster a welcoming and inclusive community. Several of the bus riders also shared insights on their commitment to justice and inclusive democracy.
From October 8-10, Sister Beth once again joined riders and friends for a multi-day visit in Chicago, IL. The stop included a site visit and press conference at The Circle Resource Center, a women’s community center in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood, followed by an evening town hall meeting at the Old St. Patrick’s church where speakers urged the nearly 150 attendees to put their faith in action when voting. Sister Beth also had the opportunity to see some familiar faces during a reunion of present and past tour participants committed to social justice.
“From the beginning, NETWORK has provided in depth analysis of issues, highly relational advocacy, and quality educational programs,” says Sister Beth who participated in the Nuns on the Bus tour in 2018. “It was most impressive that this year’s newly revived tour included so many collaborative partners with shared values – and it was great to meet those who rode with me from DC to Mara Lago in 2018.”
Sister Beth LeValley (standing second from last) with the Nuns on the Bus & Friends tour in Chicago, IL, in October 2024
In addition to Sister Beth, Sister Phyllis Tierney traveled on the tour in 2014 and 2016.