Sister Janice Ryan

Sister Janice Ryan was a leading social advocate from Vermont. She passed away at age 86 on March 30, 2022. She was a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas for 68 years. For some background on her, she was born in Fairfield, Vermont on September 14, 1936 to her parents Veronica and Leo Ryan. She became a part of the Sisters of Mercy in 1954, and after her profession in 1957, her motto became “God will provide.” She began her work as a teacher at an elementary school and junior high school in Burlington. After gaining experience at these schools, she moved onto being an Assistant Professor of Special Education at Trinity College. Her work then consisted of many things, such as being the director for Public Relations and Development. She also played a huge role in law, considering people with disabilities (Public Law 94-142). By 1979 she was the president of Trinity College. Throughout the rest of her life Sister Janice Ryan earned many awards and prizes, such as St. Michael’s College in Colchester and Middlebury College’s honorary doctoral degrees. Bishop Christopher Coyne, a member of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, stated, “She was a champion for access to quality education for all, particularly those with special needs, an advocate for the incarcerated, a peacemaker who fought for the banning of land mines around the world and so much more." Sister Janice Ryan’s legacy lives on today through her contributions to society by the law and more.