Spring 2007, Volume 50, Number 1
Sister Serves as Lobbyist for Those in Need
Contributed by the Dubuque Telegraph Herald
In the murky, oft-maligned world of federal lobbying, a nun seems out of place. But Sister Richelle Friedman possesses a quiet intensity unfamiliar to the hordes of aggressive lobbyists on Capitol Hill.
Sister Richelle is a 42-year member of the Dubuque Sisters of the Presentation. She was born and raised in Farley, IA, and earned advanced degrees at Dubuque’s Clarke College and Loyola University in Chicago. For 20 years, she taught math, computer science and religion at Catholic schools in Chicago and several Iowa towns.
In 1989, Sister took an internship with a Washington, D.C.-based Catholic social justice organization. She soon became a lobbyist, and for the next nine years talked to legislators about foreign policy, military spending, affordable housing and Social Security.
“ I feel blessed to be able to do this work. When you feel so strongly about the people you’re advocating for, it’s very rewarding,” said Sister Richelle.
In 1998, Sister started lobbying for the McAuley Institute on behalf of community-based organizations, especially those headed by women and minorities, which focus on affordable housing for low-income families. For three years, she worked as a lobbyist and political analyst at the Children’s Defense Fund.
“ There are a myriad of problems to address when advocating for the poor,” Sister Richelle said. “As government loses money, federal purse strings are pulled tighter, cutting or reducing programs.”
“ The cumulative effect is that the social safety network for low-income families has eroded, and the poor are facing cuts to programs which help them with food, housing, childcare and heating,” she continues.
Sister’s group and others hope to create a new political climate where “it is OK to spend money on these programs,” so lawmakers will “have the political will” to fund the programs.
In April, Sister Richelle was hired as the director of public policy for the Coalition on Human Needs, which represents 105 national nonprofit organizations.
“ We have labor groups, faith-based agencies and human-needs organizations. We are all working together to access more federal funding for programs that assist low-income families,” said Sister.
Besides meeting regularly with the staff of key senators and representatives, Sister Richelle also publishes the “Human Needs Report,” an e-mail report to members and supporters, twice per month. She also calls twice-monthly meetings with advocates and legislative staffers to discuss current and upcoming issues.Sister Richelle's Reflections
Our Presentation commitment is to empower women and children. Stories abound of hard working women not being able to make ends meet. Rhonda, who works full time making $900 a month, recently testified at a congressional hearing. When her small Food Stamp allotment runs out there is barely enough to feed her son, so she often goes without meals.
People living in severe poverty, with incomes less than half of the poverty line, are the fastest growing segment of the population. Women-headed families with children account for a large share of the severely poor.
Since 2001, the federal debt has ballooned from $5.6 trillion to $8.7 trillion. Half of the increase is due to the Bush tax cuts which in 2006 meant an average benefit of $118,000 for those making over $1 million and $44,000 for those making over $400,000. The lost revenue results in cuts to safety net programs. The average Food Stamp allocation is $1 per meal; 150,000 fewer children are in federally subsidized child care; and housing and job training programs, Head Start and low-income energy assistance have all been slashed.
In keeping with our Presentation mission which calls us to confront injustice, my mission at the Coalition on Human Needs is to reverse these budget and tax priorities so that all families can live in dignity.