NETWORK publishes its first newsletter, held an issue referendum, and trained 150 participants in political ministry during NETWORK’s first summer Legislative Seminar.

NETWORK’s Summer Legislative Seminars

1976 Legislative Seminar attendee, Rev. Henri Nouwen

During the summers, NETWORK organized legislative seminars in Washington to train advocates for justice, attracting hundreds of participants from across the country. These trainings not only taught participants about the legislative process and NETWORK’s policy areas, but were also critical for building relationships between justice-seekers in the field and NETWORK staff. Over the years, the Legislative Seminars drew speakers and participants such as Sen. Ted Kennedy, Rep. Shirley Chisholm, Rep. Barbara Mikulski, Rev. Henri Nouwen, Rosemary Radford Ruether, Margaret Farley, RSM, and Fr. Robert Drinan.

“A political ministry… asks us to bring our single-minded commitment to justice and peace into the center of a complex political process.”

– Rev. Henri J.M. Nouwen, Clare Dunn, CSJ, and Judith Lovchik, CSJ, NETWORK Quarterly, Fall 1976

Mary J. Novak becomes the first non-Sister to serve as NETWORK’s executive director in April 2021. In July, Joan F. Neal joins the Executive Team as NETWORK’s first deputy executive director and chief executive officer.

Carol Coston, OP begins leading NETWORK, providing “political ministry” in Washington. Four additional sisters later join Carol on the NETWORK staff, funded by their congregations.

The NETWORK steering committee holds its first meeting; they agree that Carol Coston, OP would serve as NETWORK’s first director.