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BVM Mentor, Scholarship Aid |
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Mary Griffin Scholarship Fund This scholarship, funded from the estate of Mary Griffin, honors an educator who completed her elementary, high school and undergraduate studies with the BVMs and pursued her masters and doctoral studies as a member of the BVM congregation. For many years she was a faculty member in the English department of Mundelein College in Chicago, where she also served as Academic Dean, founder of the Weekend College, and Director of the Master of Liberal Studies Program. The scholarship of $2,500 is given to women 18 years of age or older and with limited financial resources to obtain an advanced degree, enhance current employments paths, personal enrichment in the areas of women's studies or peace studies. |
Linda Parsons Plamondon, an artist engaged in art therapy, has BVM roots that go back to her acquaintance with our late Barbara Kutchera, BVM (George Mary), and Linda's undergraduate work at Clarke College in Dubuque. Linda graduated from Clarke in 1969, married, and had two children. As the adult tapestry of her life began its weave, her circumstances brought her to eastern Nebraska where she attended Bellevue University, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Art, Studio Art and later a Bachelor of Art, Art History, summa cum laude in 1994. As Linda pointed out, in the study of art history, one learns about the artist's personal background and all that is actually incorporated into the artist's work, in order to better understand the whole. This awakened her own spiritual search and the way she might use her art ability and background in a more profound way. Deeper Level In 1999 Linda was studying at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, but also needed courses available at Loyola. As a result, she began her studies at the Institute of Pastoral Studies, her dream becoming increasingly clear. It was here she took courses that centered on healing, spirituality and psychology. Again, a BVM entered Linda's life. BVM Blanche Marie Gallagher was a professor in the IPS program at Loyola and one of Linda's teachers. As Linda was completing her masters, working with Blanche on the integration of her course work, Blanche suggested that Linda next consider work in art therapy. She was closing in on her goals. Blanche knew a faculty member at the Adler School of Professional Psychology, introduced Linda, and a new mile of the spiritual and practical journey began. In order to take this journey, Linda needed assistance. She received this help in the form of a Mary Griffin Scholarship (see sidebar left) for two consecutive years. Linda has frequently expressed her profound gratitude for this scholarship and it would seem that it might appear in the tapestry of her life as a long, brightly colored thread and more. Helping Children Ready now at Adler to complete her degree, Master of Art, Counseling Psychology, she did her practicum in art therapy working in the public school system with inner city children “who are referred to us because of behavioral problems.” In her own words: “Many of the children have either been abused or have lost a parent to a violent and unexpected death; it is little wonder that the children are acting out. “In art therapy we gather as a small group and draw about things that are often too painful to talk about or that we simply do not have the vocabulary with which to describe what we are going through and yet, which needs to be expressed in a positive and safe way. “Last week one of my young fourth graders drew a picture of his mother lying in a casket with the words written above it, ‘I miss you, Mommy.' Later we discovered that his mother had died this past year of alcoholism.” So often it seems that as we move along in life, so many of its threads seem disconnected and even unruly, but as time goes on and we have enough perspective to see our lives from the front of the tapestry, it is amazing, often, how well the threads have woven together to clearly produce a work of art. That is how Linda's life sounded as we chatted. Expanded Ministry It was the Mary Griffin Scholarship that was the bridge to Linda's dream of using her talent and skills for a deeper purpose. Since her graduation from Adler, she has been involved with women and children who are in pain and in need of healing. Linda has also completed a certificate at Adler in Drug and Alcohol Addiction Counseling. She has counseled people who are “looking for a better way of life through the Twelve Step Recovery Program.” Linda continues to work at the homeless shelter and senior center. She also recently started an after-school art program for the neighborhood children. This, she explains, is
As Linda has gracefully woven her tapestry thus far, she remains open to the choice of what will be the next thread. Her tapestry is not finished yet; nor is ours. Linda, however, concludes this particular story in her words:
About the author: Anne Buckley, BVM (St. Edwin) is coordinator of transportation and housekeeping at Wright Hall, Chicago. Return to Table of Contents. |
