Meet the 2024 Women of Hope Honorees: Blanche Wright and Sister Mary Walsh, CSJ
On June 18, 2024, Providence House was thrilled to celebrate two icons in Providence House history, board members Blanche Wright and Sister Mary Walsh, CSJ. Both of these women have supported countless women and families as they return to the community after incarceration. We spoke with each to find out what makes Providence House special and how their roles within the organization have evolved over their many years of service.
From Left to Right: Board President, Anju Mahajan, Sister Mary Walsh, Executive Director, Danielle Minelli Pagnotta, and Blanche Wright
In Conversation with Blanche Wright:
What was your first interaction with Providence House?
I found the program while I was incarcerated. Sr. Elaine met me and told me about the program. I could tell right away that she was special. She was a very friendly, warm person who treated everyone well. When we met, I was helping to facilitate group sessions for women addressing family violence issues. Sr. Elaine asked me if I would join “Our Journey,” which she created as a support system for women coming out of incarceration. At the time, people with convictions were not allowed to interact with each other. It didn’t matter if you were friends or family—if two people had felony convictions, they were barred from interacting. Sr. Elaine went to parole and explained how important it was for us to network and to learn from each other. She convinced them to change that. Our Journey was amazing. We would meet, share stories, and go on trips together. There were therapeutic elements, but it was also fun. Sr. Elaine knew the importance of us having a good time together. It built bonds.
You seem to have great admiration for Sr. Elaine. Can you tell us more about her?
Sr. Elaine was someone who took care of everyone. Watching how she interacted with people, especially children, was unbelievable. She started a program that allowed us to see our kids. At the time, people were adamant about keeping us away from our children, but Sr. Elaine fought for us. She fought for our visitation rights and was able to arrange weekend visits at places like dude ranches or country clubs, giving the children a great experience. This was great for the moms and the kids, getting them out of their neighborhoods and allowing them to experience something new. They learned that there was something different in this world.
She was amazing—there is truly no other like her. She was open-minded and took everyone in, working through things with them. There’s a great story about her roaming the streets of Harlem and meeting the poet Langston Hughes. That was just the type of person she was. Someone who wasn’t afraid to get out and meet people and learn from them and make them, and share a moment with them, no matter what their background.
It seems like a lot of Sr. Elaine lives through you. What lessons have you taken with you?
One thing I’ll always remember about Sr. Elaine is how she called us the “glue family.” We stick together like glue no matter what. She made this a part of Providence House. I remember the first Christmas at Providence House; everyone showered us with so much care. The camaraderie and support we received made us a true family. They were also very understanding of our needs. I was away for 30 years and had no idea how to cook, but they taught me. It was also the little things, like teaching us how to use a metro card.
Sr. Elaine also taught me the value of being part of a community. I was surprised to be welcomed into the neighborhood. We built relationships with our neighbors, and they truly cared about us. This came in handy when we had a community meeting about opening a second Providence House location. We would hear people say they didn’t want this new element in the neighborhood, but then I would speak up and say, “Look, you know me. I am a Providence House resident and part of this community.” That was a turning point, and people became accepting. That would not have been possible if Sr. Elaine hadn’t done so much to connect us with the community.
The organization has grown a lot in the past decade. Do you think it is still living up to Sr. Elaine’s vision?
Providence House’s success over the years is centered on having the right staff. Sr. Elaine gave us the model for what works. People who work here must be gracious and kind. They must have a genuine desire to help. Throughout my stay, I have lived in the old Coney Island location, the Lincoln Road house, and the New Rochelle program. The common key was the compassion of the staff. As long as Providence House stays true to this, they will keep Elaine’s vision strong.
What made you join the board?
Danielle asked me to join the board when she first came on. I saw it as an opportunity to ensure our residents remained at the center of decision-making. It is difficult to know what it is like for these women. If you have never been homeless or incarcerated, you can’t truly understand what that does to your mindset. I know what works because I have been there. For me, it is all about support. I’ve been to many parole boards where people just send folks back and forth because their basic needs are not being met. I hear the same story from these women over and over again. They don’t want to be a burden, or they truly have no one to turn to, so they end up surrounding themselves with terrible people. My personal connection to the mission helps keep the board grounded in what is actually going on.
What would make a difference in the community?
We need to invest in more permanent affordable housing. Providence House can stabilize people and get them ready for independence, but if there is nothing available to them, what is the point?
A small but important thing we can do is create grooming programs—getting people haircuts and good clothing. Appearance matters. If you feel ready inside but don’t look ready on the outside, you won’t be able to succeed. It would be great if every house had a dedicated space for women to get their hair done.
We also need to do more to connect with women while they are still incarcerated. The relationship-building should start well before they come to our doors. This was a big part of our success when working with women coming out of Bedford. We need to figure out how to recreate this in Rikers.
Board member Afi Turner-Meyers with fellow board member and honorees, Blanche Wright and Sr. Mary Walsh, CSJ
In Conversation with Sister Mary Walsh, CSJ:
How did you find Providence House?
I am part of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood. Around 1970, I first heard of Sister Elaine, who talked to me about creating a place where Sisters could live in a residence with women in need and help them. As we know, this idea became Providence House. I was very aware of what she was doing and that her idea was growing. At one point, I thought, "Maybe I should try this out." It took several years, as my mother was ill, and I had to care for her. But when I was ready, I contacted the Sisters at the Prospect location. They said I could come stay with them for a week to get a sense of the program and see if it was a good fit. That week turned into over 12 years of service.
You were the last Sister to live in residence at Providence House. How do you think the program will change in your absence?
The decision to leave was difficult. I am now 77, and I realized things were getting too much for me to balance. But I’m not leaving because I don’t think you ever really leave Providence House.
One of the things I have seen in the past few years is the growth of the organization. Living with residents and seeing staff day in and day out, it amazes me to see how the programs have been enriched and how the vision continues to grow. Though I am the last Sister to live in residence, the program will remain true to its roots. I have no doubt that Sister Elaine is smiling from heaven, saying, "They got it right."
You talk about growth. What do you think has been the best aspect of that growth?
It’s a whole other world from where we started. We have apartments now. We have facilities where people can do their laundry, and where schools are right across the street. It seems simple, but that’s the magic. The programs have evolved in such a way that gives people a sense of dignity in their independence. It’s empowering, giving people a sense of inner growth and responsibility.
Can you share an experience that truly represents what makes Providence House special?
I have two stories. The first is about a young mother and her little girl who came to us many years ago. This mom worked late hours, sometimes coming home at 8 or 9 o’clock at night. Her daughter, who was in 1st grade at the time, really took a liking to me. Every night, she would come home with her mother, and we would sit on the stoop together while her mom met with a Resident Manager. One day, the mother told me that her daughter started calling me grandma. I asked her how her mom felt about her calling me this, and she said, "Oh, my mom is so happy that I have someone to sit with and loves that I call you grandma. She was so happy about it and told me it was great that her daughter now had two grandmothers. It was really amazing to build that connection with the family and have them know they are loved and supported at Providence House.
The second is about a woman who came to us while she was pregnant. When she was ready to give birth, other residents came to me and I called the ambulance to make sure she made it to the hospital. A few weeks after giving birth, she asked if we could help her with the baptism. The other Sisters and Pastor arranged a big party to celebrate her and her child. It was a great moment, and one that truly stuck with her. A number of years later, she came back to tell us that she was working, her child was in school, and her family was so grateful for the support from Providence House. I still get calls from her regularly. She likes to keep me updated on how her now 10-year-old daughter is doing. Two years ago, she invited me to her apartment in Brooklyn. I was so proud to see how much she was thriving.
You are a Providence House Board Member. What motivated you to take on this role?
When Danielle took over as Executive Director, I was invited to join the board. I felt a sense of duty to make sure she was supported in the transition, helping her understand the history and being there to work on her vision for the organization.
As she settled into her role, my focus shifted to being an advocate for our staff. I lived with Providence House staff for over 12 years. This is an important perspective to bring to board meetings. I shared a story once about a mother who came to us depressed and ready to leave her children. Our staff sprang into action, working with the mom while I took care of the children. Watching our team work together to support this mother was amazing, and I don’t think the outcome would have been positive if she hadn’t been at Providence House. Giving this perspective to the board is important because it reminds them that without the dedication of our front-line staff, Providence House isn’t Providence House.
What do you think is next for the organization?
Providence House has always been about openness and growth; seeing what is going on in the community and responding to it. Initially, we thought, "Oh, an empty convent, that’s great." It was wonderful to start with that, but look what it gave birth to. Something great will always come up because staff is constantly investigating what the latest needs are and how we can overcome them. The staff never says, "We are doing a good job." Instead, they say, "Things are coming along great, but what can we do to continue to grow and change?" Providence House has the staff and the vision to continue to be a force of positive change in community for many, many years to come.
Sister Mary Walsh, CSJ