The Opus Prize Foundation, a group that funds faith-based work to solve
social problems, honored Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, CHA's president and chief
executive officer, as one of three finalists for its annual humanitarian award,
the Opus Prize. The award recognizes "unsung heroes" whose work has been "guided
by faith and an entrepreneurial spirit."
Sakena Yacoobi won the top Opus Prize and accepted a $1 million honorarium to
advance her work bringing education and health care to women and children in
Afghanistan. Yacoobi founded the Afghan Institute of Learning, a women-led
non-governmental organization that has grown to be the largest NGO in that
war-torn country. The profile of Yacoobi published on the Opus foundation
website describes her as "devoted to transforming the minds and hearts of people
through education in the hope they will think for themselves and choose to be
peaceful."
Sr. Carol was recognized for her work advocating for socially just health
reforms that expand coverage to the uninsured in the U.S. The Fahmina Institute,
an Indonesian NGO, was honored for its work advancing religious studies and
empowering groups that are exploited and marginalized.
Finalists each received a $75,000 honorarium. Sr. Carol said she plans to use
the money for insurance enrollment efforts and to help those still not covered
by health insurance.
"This year's finalists are inspiring examples of the positive difference that
each of us can make in our communities and indeed our world. They embody the
Jesuit principle of being women and men in service of others," said John
DeGioia. He is president of Georgetown University, which partnered with the Opus
foundation to select the winners and host the Nov. 13 awards ceremony at the
university's campus in Washington, D.C.
Copyright © 2013 by the Catholic Health Association
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