Sister Rebel

By Theresa Killeen Bonpane

I haven’t had many heroines in my life. My mother, Rebeca immediately comes to mind; considerate, brave, intelligent, amazing nurturer of plants and family, a hard worker and at times a risk taker. Rigoberta Menchu, the amazing contemporary Mexican muralist Rina Lazo, Frida Kahlo, my two older sisters Ceci and Sandra who always protected me from bullies, and now Theresa Killeen Bonpane, Sister Rebel.

Theresa Bonpane’s memoir Sister Rebel charts her journey from a young Irish American woman, to a Maryknoll nun working in Chile, to a dedicated peace activist and director of the Office of the Americas.

A dedicated activist Theresa Bonpane seems to have been inspired by greater powers, whether they be the lightning bolt of god or the words and actions of Howard Zinn or those of actor Martin Sheen, her constant struggle for peace and justice has always rung true.

A friend and fellow member of our California musical family, the Bluebirds, Theresa has always projected her life philosophy through actions. She once volunteered as a waitress at a pop up café in Venice, CA serving the homeless, who were invited off the streets and served a free, chef prepared, delicious sit down dinner complete with tablecloths and napkins. Now Theresa and I are monarch buddies, sharing the magical experience of raising monarch butterflies from tiny eggs to magnificent beauties, propagating as many milkweed plants as possible along the way. Although she works from Santa Monica, CA and I from Ajijic, Mexico we share a passion for life and beauty.

Sister Rebel reflects Theresa’s life sculpting from a young woman of Troy, NY to her catholic Maryknoll grooming to her work with the poor and destitute of Central America to her rise to national prominence as a global peace activist.

While struggling with global conflict resolutions, injustice, human system inequalities Theresa was able to raise two remarkable children at the same time. Her husband and best friend Blasé Bonpane always at her side.

I love reading, especially when the tome is enjoyable and useful . I savor books almost not wanting them to reach their end. It was the opposite with Sister Rebel. Once I started it I couldn’t put it down and devoured it quickly. Inspiring, catalytic, provocative, the book reinforced my life decisions to lead my own charges. I hope we all find our authentic callings in this life. And I hope I have the fortitude and wisdom to hear and follow mine, as Theresa Killeen Bonpane has found and followed hers.

“A must read.”

– Fco. Nava

“A gripping account of dedicated service, struggle and personal turmoil, and inspiring accomplishment. It is a truly marvelous story. Once I opened the book, I couldn’t put it down.”

Noam Chomsky, author of Manufacturing Consent

“From a Catholic convent to national prominence and controversy, Theresa Bonpane shares her deeply personal and inspiring journey of a lifelong, uncompromising peace and social justice icon, wife and mother who never separated one from the other and greatly celebrated both in the balance.”

– Martin Sheen