Sisters Rita, Kate, Brigid '62, and Jane McDonald have long been known as leaders for their work advancing peace in the Twin Cities and beyond. The siblings grew up on a farm in Hollywood Township, Minnesota, and eventually all became Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJs) in the 1940s and '50s; Brigid also graduated from St. Catherine University. The sisters devoted their lives to teaching, peace activism, and fighting for social justice. During the Vietnam War, they joined Women Against Military Madness (WAMM) and participated regularly in protests on the Lake Street Bridge and against military contractors, even spending time in jail — where they never ceased to pray for peace.
Their activism has inspired many over the decades, including a play at St. Paul’s History Theater called “Sisters of Peace,” as well as a half-hour documentary called “Four Sisters For Peace” that aired on Twin Cities Public Television in 2004. The sisters’ fierce passion for justice and love of the dear neighbor made them well-known throughout the Twin Cities, but they remained close to their origins as CSJs. They also made an appearance at St. Kate's Opening Celebration in 2019 to spread a message of justice and positivity. Sister Rita passed away in 2023 at age 101, but her legacy, and the legacy of all the McDonald sisters, remains a living encouragement for all women hoping to make the world a better place.