‘Sr. Stan’ as we all know her, was born Treasa Kennedy in 1939, near Lispole on the Dingle Peninsula. Determined to work with the poor and disadvantaged, she joined the Religious Sisters of Charity when she was 18 years old. Working initially in Kilkenny, she helped establish Kilkenny Social Services and co-founded the National Federation of Youth Clubs, CARE and the School of Education in Kilkenny in the 1970s. In 1997 she was appointed to the Council of State and served on it until 2004.

Sr. Stan has worked tirelessly for many years responding to the realities of homelessness in Ireland and in 1985, she founded Focus Point – now Focus Ireland – to support and advocate for homelessness across the State. As a result of the injustice and inequality in Ireland towards some refugees and asylum seekers, she established the Immigrant Council of Ireland in 2001 to promote and support the rights of immigrants. Sr. Stan has pioneered many other initiatives including 'Social Innovations Ireland' which she set-up in 2001 out of which grew the 'Young Social Innovators of the Year'. Recognising the need for ‘safe and quiet spaces’ for people to reflect and take time out from life’s everyday challenges, Sr. Stan established “The Sanctuary” a meditation/spirituality centre in the heart of Dublin city centre.

Sr. Stan has been outspoken on many issues, including her support for marriage equality in Ireland, for which she was reprimanded by the Vatican. She received Honorary Doctorates from Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin and the Open University, as well as a Special Honour for commitment to the disadvantaged in Ireland from the University of New York. Sr. Stan received the Meteor Awards prestigious 'Humanitarian of the Year' award in 2004 and an Honorary Degree of Doctor of the Open University in 2005. At 84 years of age, Sr. Stan continues to support and advocate for the rights of the homeless, refugees and asylum seekers and to encourage mindful living. See: srstan.ie

Since its foundation in 1815, the Religious Sisters of Charity have supported those living in poverty, the homeless, the sick, prisoners, refugee and asylum seekers, campaigned against human trafficking and advocated for ecological sustainability. The sisters have done this throughout Ireland, Australia, UK, US, Nigeria, Zambia and Malawi. See: rsccaritas.com