Since she first entered religious life in her native Syria at the age of 17, Good Shepherd Sister Marie Claude Naddaf has worked tirelessly to uphold the rights of women and girls throughout the Middle East.
For her ongoing dedication to the anti-trafficking mission and her role as the coordinator of Wells of Hope, CNEWA recognized Sister Marie Claude as the guest of honor at its Healing & Hope Gala Dinner on 5 December.
“Marie Claude is a woman of prayer, deep prayer, and action. And she speaks from a wide, open and compassionate heart for girls, women and children who experience violence of all sorts — especially the violence of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, for labor — and domestic violence and systemic violence,” said Good Shepherd Sister Winifred Doherty at the gala in speaking about the honoree, who was unable to travel from the Middle East.
“This is the woman we honor tonight. A woman of God. A woman of action. Always accompanying women and healing them. For her, the dignity of the person is central, and anything that demeans that dignity has to be confronted and the person empowered,” she said.