Berkley Center

Catholic sisters in Sub-Saharan Africa play vital roles as respected leaders and communicators working for women and girls, yet they continue to face significant challenges both within their faith communities and in humanitarian and development spaces. Too often, their voices often go unheard and their contributions to women and girls’ empowerment remain underappreciated, leading to a lack of visibility and insufficient support for their work. 

The Women Faith Leaders Fellowship (WFLF), hosted by the Georgetown University Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, is working to address these challenges and create an environment where women faith leaders are positioned at the forefront of innovative and holistic development efforts to advance the well-being of women and girls. The program champions the sisters’ unique ability to advance peacebuilding, development, and advocacy for vulnerable populations—work deeply rooted in their faith and commitment to Catholic social teaching.

Exploring Faith and Development at the Local Level 

In October 2024, the Woman Faith Leaders Fellowship (WFLF) launched its first international orientation and kick-off at the Roussel House in Kenya. This milestone marked the beginning of a transformative journey for the 18 sisters selected for the 2024-2025 cohort. Over the course of four days, the fellows engaged in workshops, discussions, and hands-on learning sessions that provided them with invaluable tools to take their work to the next level.

Katherine Marshall, WFLF principal investigator and Berkley Center senior fellow, led thought-provoking conversations exploring the intersection of religion and development. These discussions highlighted the challenges faith actors face and the critical role of women’s empowerment in the broader context of international development. Building on this foundation, WFLF Senior Program Manager Krista Zimmerman facilitated a workshop that explored issues affecting women and girls, providing a safe space for the sisters to deconstruct harmful cultural norms and deeply embedded beliefs about gender. This approach resonated deeply with the sisters, many of whom were already at the forefront of addressing gender issues within their communities.

The orientation culminated with each sister developing a capstone project, a concrete initiative designed to address a specific challenge facing women and girls in their communities. Throughout the program, Zimmerman noted how the sisters demonstrated a deeply holistic approach to development work.

What stood out to me was how seamlessly the sisters wove together different aspects of well-being in their work. They don’t see economic empowerment, education, and emotional support as separate issues—rather, they approach development as an interconnected process that nurtures the whole person. 

Sustaining Progress: Mid-Year Check-ins in Ghana and Kenya

Over the past six months, the fellows have continued to refine their projects, applying the insights gained during the orientation and online learning opportunities focused on resource mobilization and strategic planning. In early March 2025, the WFLF team traveled to Ghana and Kenya to provide mentorship and tailored support, helping the sisters navigate any challenges they face while bringing their projects to life. The mid-year check-ins were structured to ensure that each fellow received actionable feedback on her capstone project with practical advice drawn from the sisters’ collective expertise and professional experiences. 

One of the highlights of the check-ins was a peer-to-peer exchange regarding the Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) model developed by Catholic Relief Services. One sister expressed interest in applying the SILC model to her project, and another sister, who had previous experience with the methodology, provided guidance on tailoring the approach to a different community context. 

The sessions also uncovered opportunities for external certifications and institutional collaborations. For example, a sister leading a positive parenting initiative shared insights about a certification program that many fellows found valuable for their own projects. 

An essential element of the mid-year check-ins was leadership development, with a strong emphasis on public speaking and being able to introduce one’s project in a concise and compelling manner. The WFLF team organized an exercise where each sister had one minute to introduce her capstone project, articulating the problem, solution, and impact in a clear and engaging way. Gabrielle Matlock, outreach manager of WFLF, emphasized the importance of delivering a succinct and impactful pitch.

When the sisters distill their projects into a clear and compelling narrative, their authenticity shines through. It's not just about making a strong impression—it’s about utilizing the pitch to draw people into their mission and make them excited to learn more. 

This exercise not only built confidence but also prepared the sisters for future opportunities where they may need to advocate for their projects in high-stakes environments.

Looking Ahead: Leadership Development at Georgetown

The next major milestone will take place at Georgetown University from April 28 to May 9, 2025, where the fellows will participate in a two-week intensive leadership development program. Hosted on the Hilltop Campus, this experience will focus on strengths-based leadership, empowering women and girls, and faith, values, and community. As the program unfolds, WFLF fellows will continue to expand their leadership, driving a movement of women faith leaders dedicated to lasting change in their communities.

Applications for the next cohort will open in May 2025 and are open to Catholic sisters from Sub-Saharan Africa. Stay tuned for updates on the Women Faith Leaders Fellowship website and the Berkley Center’s social media channels.