"O Father, the first rule of our Savior's life was to do your will. Let his will ... be the first rule of our daily life and work with no other desire but for its most full and complete accomplishment…" That prayer from Elizabeth Ann Seton is mirrored in the professional and personal life of Mildred Shanley. Like Mother Seton, Mildred is known throughout New York State as a pioneer for women taking leadership roles in the Church. Respected as someone whose work and faith are very much intertwined, Mildred is admired for her keen intellect and open, friendly style. No stranger to these walls, Mildred Shanley is a double alumna of St. John's, a graduate of both the University's School of Commerce and School of Law. An astute facilitator for over forty years her consummate legal skills have been a great service to the Church in Brooklyn and Queens. As Corporate Legal Counsel for Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Brooklyn she served as counsel both to its Chief Executive Officers and in the establishment of Catholic Charities, governing board, ensuring that it was consistent with civil and canonical law. Mildred developed analyses of complex issues and aided the Bishops in their undertanding of health care and human services law. She has also been the representative for Bishops Mugavero and Daily on the New York State Catholic Conference Public Policy Committee. In 1992 Mildred became Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs and Chief Legal Officer for Catholic Medical Center of Brooklyn and Queens, serving as legal advisor to the Chief Executive officer. Sensitive to the legal needs experienced by many smaller organizations, Mildred Shanley represented numerous not-for-profit governing boards of child care agencies, social service agencies and foundations. Realizing the challenges faced by young lawyers entering this arena, Mildred has mentored several of them through the complexities and nuances of health care issues and to a greater understanding of this field's relationship to the law and public policy. Previously honored by the New York State Catholic Conference, the New York State Council of Catholic Charities Directors and The National Conference of Catholic Women, she was named Catholic Woman of the Year in 1986 by the Queens Chapter of the Catholic Lawyers Guild. Tonight St. John's University is proud to honor its accomplished alumna by presenting to Mildred A. Shanley the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal.

January 25, 2001

Donald J. Harrington, C.M.

President

~