Human Trafficking
On March 22, 2021, the SSND community, and the Human Trafficking Committee in particular, lost a valued member with the death of Sister Maureen Michael Byrne. Maureen Michael was an artist and teacher who strove to develop the unique talents of each of her students. She brought that type of concern for individuals to her work on Human Trafficking.
Recently, the opportunity came my way to select from a series of cards drawn by Maureen Michael. The card above immediately caught my eye as so symbolic of Maureen. First, the scenery depicts her beloved Florida residence. Secondly, the starfish reminded me of the Star Thrower story adapted from an essay by Loren Eiseley. If you recall the story, the young man shows concern for each individual starfish. By returning the starfish to the sea, he saves the selected starfish. When challenged as to why bother in light of the overwhelming number of dying starfish, the boy replies, “I made a difference for that one.” That was Maureen Michael’s gift. She knew helping a student, a fellow artist, or a trafficking survivor, made a difference in the life of the individual. We, the members of the Human Trafficking Committee, thank Sister Maureen Michael for her dedication and ask her to intercede for victims of Human Trafficking.
Below is a reprint of an article Maureen Michael wrote in 2019.
Child Labor in the Leather Industry
By Sister Maureen Michael Byrne
I saw a pair of shoes online and thought about how unique they were and how arty they looked. Then I started to wonder how in the world do you get multicolored leather? Who tans the leather? What dyes and chemicals are used to produce the color? Where are they made? Then I sat on a leather couch and asked the same questions. Well, I discovered that much of the leather used in the western world comes from Pakistan and Bangladesh and most of the labor force is made up of children who begin working by the time they are eight years old and unfortunately many have died by age 50 because of the toxic conditions. There is so much information about this published by SOMO (the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations). Once you read a bit you will think twice about the leather you have on your feet or the chair upon which you sit. Consider visiting Ethical Consumer for help with making sustainable and ethical purchasing decisions!
In case you missed it…
Immigration
Consider reading this article concerning the decline in migration to Canada, and what that might mean for migrant families and the Canadian economy: Canadian Immigration May Not ‘Return To Normal’ For A Long Time: Economists | HuffPost Canada Business (huffingtonpost.ca)
To learn more about the humanitarian crisis at the U.S. southern border, check out this resource by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services: FAQ: What Is Happening with Immigrant Children at the Southern Border? | LIRS
Read All About It
Make sure to check out our Read All About It page for more op-eds by sisters, associates, and staff!
