Ursulines to present Angeline Award

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 19, 2002) - Heroines come in all forms. For the recipient of the 2002 Angeline Award, presented by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, heroine takes on a slightly different meaning.
"In this day and age, we think it's so important to recognize the people who are truly making a spiritual, loving difference in the lives of others," said Sister Jean Anne Zappa, OSU, chair of the Ursuline Sisters' Angeline Award Committee. "Our award recognizes a woman who reflects the charism (special gift) of St. Angela Merici and the Ursuline Sisters - a contemplative love of God and a resulting openness and eagerness to serve the needs of others."

Recipients demonstrate Christian leadership by being actively involved with the challenges that face women and families today, such as illiteracy, economic poverty, violence, domestic abuse, prejudice or addiction.

The 2002 Angeline Award will be presented July 26 to Mary Kwan, M.D.
Dr. Kwan, a graduate of the former Ursuline College, provided medical treatment to the poor, caring for them with Christian love for more than 30 years in the Chicago and Houston, Texas, areas. In her retirement from medical practice, she continues to promote the right of all US Citizens to affordable health care.

"Dr. Kwan is an excellent choice to receive the Angeline Award," said Sister Jean Anne. "Her life's work reflects that of St. Angela Merici, plus she has overcome great obstacles in her life."
Born in Hong Kong, Dr. Kwan was fleeing Japanese invaders when she met the Maryknoll Fathers in China. She became a catholic in 1945, and with assistance from Father John Moore, M.M., obtained a four-year scholarship to Ursuline College in Louisville through the Ursuline Sisters. After graduating in 1955, she attended Northwestern University Medical School and became a doctor specializing in internal medicine.

Dr. Kwan reflects the spirit of St. Angela Merici by serving the needs of others as servant, reconciler and advocate. She lives as a contemplative in the world by seeing and loving God in those she has served. Her medical profession allows her to give special service to the poor and to meet the needs of others as St. Angela Merici did.

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The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville first founded schools on the Ursuline Campus on Lexington Road in 1877. The campus was originally home to Sacred Heart Academy and later Sacred Heart Junior College, which became Ursuline College (now part of Bellarmine University). Over the years, the campus also had a Speech Clinic and a tutoring center. Today, the Ursuline Campus Schools are Sacred Heart Academy, Sacred Heart Model School, Ursuline Montessori School, Ursuline School for the Performing Arts and Ursuline Child Development Center.