How One Woman Found the Light in the Darkness: GIVEN Alumna Riley Hachten “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” - John 1:5 When meditating upon Michelangelo’s famous statue in St. Peter’s Basilica, you’ll notice Mary’s maternal heart in complete sorrow. Upon further contemplation, Italian Dominican friar [...]
How One Woman Grows Flowers for Evangelization: GIVEN Alumna Tori Franke “Learn from the way the wildflowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them.” - Matthew 6:28-29 Many saints encountered Christ through wonder [...]
How One Woman Supports Hispanic Ministries: GIVEN Mentor Janeth Chavez "Let me take advantage of my native language, Spanish (the language of God and the angels), to get more deeply into the meaning of beatitude. In Spanish the word is translated bienaventuranza, literally 'good adventure to you.' We all know that [...]
How One Woman’s Passion Led to Publication: GIVEN Alumna Clarissa Prisinzano “I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! My very self you know.” - Psalm 139:14 One of the GIVEN Institute’s goals is to show its alumnae how to unlock their gifts not only for themselves but how [...]
How One Woman Helps Women in Guatemala Bloom at Casa Rosa: GIVEN Alumna Erin McHugh “The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm. If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would [...]
How Aurora Pomales Helps Women Embrace their Singlehood: Aurora Pomales GIVEN ’24 Alumna “An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in both body and spirit.” - 1 Corinthians 7: 34 Oftentimes, men and women can struggle with their [...]
How One Woman Strengthens Marriages through Reflection: GIVEN Alumna Ali Null “If you want to bring happiness to the world, go home and love your family.” - St. Teresa of Calcutta In June 2025, Pope Leo XIV stated that marriage is, “not an ideal but the measure of true love between a [...]
How One Woman Inspires Evangelization through Beauty: GIVEN Alumna Elisa Torres Bishop Robert Barron once said, “Beauty is the arrowhead of evangelization, the point with which the evangelist pierces the minds and hearts of those he evangelizes.” GIVEN ’22 alumna Elisa Torres has a similar mindset as she describes herself as a [...]
How One Woman Encourages Women to Find Healing: GIVEN Alumna Silvia Ordoñez “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction.” -- Mark 5:34 According to a 2024 Gallup report, more than 6 in 10 women find it difficult to prioritize their health in the United [...]
How One Woman Inspires Liturgical Living: GIVEN Alumna Tasha Gordon “Be who God made you to be, and you will set the world on fire.” -- Saint Catherine of Siena Living liturgically is an aspect of the faith that is very special to GIVEN alumna, Tasha Gordon. By observing the Church’s liturgical [...]
