Meet the Director

by Ruth Jenkins

In 1963, during the 100th anniversary year of Mount St. Scholastica, a Benedictine community of women in Atchison, KS, Sr. Carol Ann Petersen joined the community. Little did she know the path of service her life would take. Sr. Carol Ann served 32 years as teacher and school principal in Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri, followed by nine years as Associate Superintendent of Schools. Everything she learned along the way would one day allow her to use her skills as Director at the Keeler Women’s Center.

When the Benedictines first came to Atchison in 1863, their primary focus was the education of young women in the area. Keeping that principle in mind, in 1999 the Sisters met to prepare their long range plan, Vision 2010, and the idea of a women’s center first came into being. At many meetings the Sisters discussed the needs in the area and began focusing on the limited resources that were available to women, especially poor women. The fruit of their efforts became The Keeler Women’s Center and Sr. Carol Ann was asked to apply for and was selected as its Director.

“The Benedictine’s most basic ministry is hospitality,” Sr. Carol Ann shares. In keeping with this value women who come to Keeler Women’s Center are greeted with a smile, coffee, tea, iced lemon water, cookies and fruit laid out on a table with a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers and soft music playing in the background.

Sr. Carol Ann remembers Teresa, (pseudonym), one of the first women referred to the Keeler Women’s Center for counseling. Married and living in an abusive relationship with 6 children, Teresa was referred to the Center by the children’s school principal who recognized her severely depressed state. With the help of a translator Teresa began to share her story and with each visit and her continued involvement with Keeler Women’s Center her depression began to lift.

After several months she began attending the Easy English class and then advanced to the literacy program. With her newfound confidence she began sharing the ministry of the Keeler Women’s Center with her friends, often inviting other women to classes.

Earlier this year Teresa participated in the Book Club’s reading of The Infidel. As the women in the group were identifying with the horrific abuse inflicted on the Muslim author, Teresa’s soft voice filled the room. “My sorrows are nothing compared to this woman’s sorrows.” Her empathy and compassion are two of the qualities most appreciated in her role on Keeler Women’s Center’s Advisory Board where she suggests new practices and services for women.

In her role as Director, Sr. Carol Ann continues to be awed and inspired by the generosity of the volunteers who work with the women. Whether it’s teaching a nutrition class, counseling on drug addiction or women’s empowerment, offering massage therapy or a free haircut, she shares, “we pride ourselves on doing what needs to be done to help the women who come to us.”

“Keeler Women’s Center is different because other agencies often have a mission that allows them to only address specific needs or serve a certain demographic. At Keeler, we help whoever walks in the door with almost anything they require. There are a lot of needs and over the years we have found there are many people willing to help.” Like the local ob-gyn who volunteered to offer prenatal care to a woman experiencing a difficult pregnancy. “If you ask people they will help,” says Sr. Carol Ann.

Sr. Carol Ann says she loves everything she does in her role as Director but it is the women the Center serves that have made the most impact on her life. On the day of the interview several women dropped-in needing assistance. Sr. Barbara helped one woman just released from jail who needed assistance finding a job. Another’s family had an unexpected death and needed resources for the funeral. Sr. Bridget was looking for a crib for a baby expected at the end of December.

Sr. Carol Ann is also the face of Keeler Women’s Center in the community. She attends meetings at the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, MOCSA and Victim’s Assistance Network with the KCK Police Department. “Since becoming the Director I am more compassionate and empathetic to the plight of women in our community. The injustice bothers me more now. I can no longer just sit by. I am writing and calling my congressman more on behalf of the poor,” says Sr. Carol Ann.”

And that’s what service is all about. Looking outside yourself to see what gifts and talents you have to offer those around you. Sr. Carol Ann Petersen is an inspiration to her Sister community as well as to the community at large.


You can contact Keeler Women's Center:
Sr. Carol Ann Petersen, Director
Keeler Women's Center
2220 Central
Kansas City, Kansas 66102
913.906.8990
email: kwc@mountosb.org