Sister Dorothy as a Community Builder

About Dayton’s Walk of Fame on 3rd Street
As of 2024, over 300 honorees have been recognized on the Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame for their outstanding and enduring personal or professional contributions to the community, nation and the world in the areas of: Arts and Culture, Aviation, Business/Corporate Leader, Community Service, Education, Entertainment/Media, Environment, Government/Military, Invention/Innovation, Medicine, Philanthropy, Science, Significant Personal Achievement and Sports.

Since its inception in 1996 as a part of the City of Dayton’s bicentennial celebration, individuals have been recognized on the Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame for their outstanding and enduring personal or professional contributions to the community, nation, and the world.

The Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame is installed in the sidewalks along West Third Street between Shannon and Broadway Streets in the historic Wright-Dunbar Business District, and can be enjoyed year-round. Visit where three exceptional men, Orville, Wilbur Wright, and Paul Laurence Dunbar, called home. Begin your visit at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, where you can chat with knowledgeable staff, pick up a Walk of Fame walking tour brochure, information, and directions to other historical sites, and learn about general programs and special events. For more information about Dayton’s Walk of Fame:

About the Wright-Dunbar Neighborhood
The Wright-Dunbar neighborhood is near Downtown Dayton and the West Third Street business district. Attractions along Third Street include the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Park, retail shops, and W. Social Tap & Table food hall.

Wright-Dunbar is a neighborhood undergoing significant transformation. Located near Downtown, this mixed-use area is ideal for those looking to stay involved and enjoy the amenities of an active neighborhood.

Reflection Site #5: Dayton’s Walk of Fame on 3rd Street

TEXT of MARKER - (you can read this aloud, or have each participant read silently.)
Sister Dorothy Stang, dedicated her life as a missionary to the fight for the rights of rural workers and peasants in the Amazon region of Brazil. Sister Dorothy, a Dayton native and member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, went to Brazil as a missionary to do adult faith formation with landless citizens. When these poor families were granted small plots of land in the rainforest, she understood that the farmers needed to understand the principles of sustainable farming and rain forest preservation, so taught them. She worked with communities to become self-supporting, starting 39 schools, working to develop health care and basic first aid facilities, and creating a series of seminars and conferences to teach sustainable farming. She believed passionately that the rain forest plays a critical role in the earth’s health. Although beloved by the people she served, while working to improve the lives of the poor and protect the rainforest, Sister Dorothy ran afoul of illegal logging operations, and speculators, and cattle ranchers. She was murdered by hired killers in 2005. 

Introduction: Sister Dorothy worked hard to build community among the people with whom she worked. In honor of her, we are focusing on community building in this region of Dayton, which is experiencing renewal. If time is available, consider returning to this area to share a meal. Visit the landmarks and restaurants in this diverse neighborhood. 

Reflection: When Sister Dorothy arrived in Coroata, Brazil, 80 percent of the working people were Catholics. Telling Bible stories formed the basis of community building, but first, the Sisters needed to catch people’s attention. Brazil is known for parades with lively music and singing, so the Sisters and the Priests formed a small procession and walked slowly through the town to a drummer's beat.  A few recruits, singing familiar tunes, encouraged others to join.

The marchers wound through neighborhoods and formed a circle in front of the church. More people came to see what was happening. Dorothy and her sisters were making a positive impression and attracting the townspeople.

In his best dramatic tones, the Priest read a Gospel story while Dorothy scanned the crowd. She was looking for men as well as women to become community leaders. Typically, men in Brazil did not attend church; most of them considered it to be a woman's role. Dorothy thought that if she could just find a few men to be leaders, she could build communities more quickly.

She smiled at a man standing nearby. She was proud of her Portuguese and said, "We need you to reach out to your friends who want to make a better life." One or two smiled back and agreed to help plan the next town-square service. "Bring your problems to our meeting," she said, "and we will share them and try to find a way out."

Beatitude: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Pope Francis: Because all creatures are connected, each must be cherished with love and respect, for all of us, as living creatures, are dependent on one another (LS # 42)

Sister Dorothy: Our Gospel response calls us to take risks among our people. They don’t have this privilege or they would be killed if they resist openly – indeed, they are killed.

Together we pray:  
Sister Dorothy and all martyrs, pray for our courage to respond to the needs of our day and time.  Sustain our hunger and thirst for justice and community building.