1964-1968 Working in Uganda, East Africa as a teacher and lay missionary, Edwina established a school for Ugandan girls, which became the largest and most successful in the area. This experience offered her the opportunity to live closely with the people as she shared their culture and way of life.
1969 The Volunteer Missionary Movement was founded in England by Edwina to recruit, prepare and send missioners to work in countries of the developing world. The VMM, with centers in England, Ireland, Scotland and the United States, has sent over 2,000 women and men (missioners) to serve in cross-cultural mission in 26 countries throughout the world.
1976 - Edwina initiated the idea and development of a lay community within the Volunteer Missionary Movement.
1979 - Three months retreat in the Sahara Desert, North Africa.
Campaigning against the dealth penalty in March 2007 with Helen Prejean and friends
I do not need to seek God. God is already here Waiting to be found, Soaked in my reality. My journey is to be one of recognizing God, always already present and surfacing that presence in my daily life.
-From A Mystical Heart by Edwina Gateley
Edwina has received the following AWARDS:
Issac Hecker Award for Social Justice Boston, MA 2009 Aggiornamento Award Catholic Library Association, PA 2005 Bishop Ketteler Award Sisters of Divine Providence 2005 National Leadership Award USA Call to Action 1998 Doctor of Human Letters Honoris Causa. Rosemont College, PA 1998 Citation: County of Erie PA 1998 Oscar Romero Award Mercyhurst College. Erie, PA 1998 Loretto Award St. Louis, MO 1995 Clare Award For women exemplifying the virtues of St. Clare of Assisi. Clinton, OH 1993 Pope John XXIII Award Viterbo College. La Crosse, WI 1988 Chicago Commission of Human Relations Award Chicago, IL 1986 Cook County State Attorney Recognition Award for Service to Women and Children Chicago, IL 1986 Association of Chicago Priests Award Chicago, IL 1986 Spirit of St. Francis Award Outstanding Laywoman in the State of Illinois 1984 Catholic Woman of the Year England and Wales 1979
