The Benedictine Sisters proudly presented their 2023 Prophet of Peace Award to environmental advocate and educator Doreen Petri on September 20. Pictured are Sister Stephanie Schmidt, prioress (left) and Doreen.

Doreen is a passionate and determined advocate for the environment, making sure that children in our inner city and in the Erie Public School District have opportunities to explore their environment and learn to solve environmental problems collaboratively by working to change harmful policies and practices. 

A graduate of Villa Maria High School, Doreen did her undergraduate work at Gannon University as a biology major and in secondary education. She received her master’s degree in environmental education from Slippery Rock University. She taught science at Villa Maria Academy for 15 years, and also at Collegiate for 15 years. She has lectured at Gannon University. 

Early in her teaching career, Doreen and I met at our Benedictine Sisters’ Glinodo Center at a Project Learning Tree Workshop that I was conducting. Since then, we have continued to collaborate on environmental projects for over 30 years. Doreen has retired from teaching and is now the Project Director for Erie Farm to School at the Erie City School District where she manages 14 school gardens.

She has instituted gardens in all of Erie’s public schools with the help of Americorps VISTA workers and supported by her endless grant writing. Doreen has increased access to fresh produce and has begun helping families design and implement gardens in their own backyards. She has raised awareness of Urban Agriculture, Farm to School, Food Deserts, and Food Access Programs. Doreen and I continue to collaborate through an Urban Agriculture grant at the Benedictine Sisters’ Inner-city Neighborhood Art House.

Doreen is an extraordinary woman doing extraordinary work with teachers and students and their families in our Erie community. She is committed, humble, and seeks access to a healthy environment and justice for everyone.

The Benedictine Sisters give the annual Prophet of Peace award to an individual or group that embodies some aspect of their current corporate commitment to be a healing presence and prophetic witness for peace and justice by actively addressing the climate crisis and the rights of women and children.

Following prayer and the presentation of the award to Doreen in monastery chapel, the sisters hosted a celebratory dinner.