GREENSBORO’S FRIEND OF THE WEAK, OPPRESSED, POOR, MARGINALIZED
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| In full battle dress: Sister Gretchen at United Dashain Festival celebrated by the Nepali and Bhutanese communities at Caldcleugh Multicultural Arts Center in 2011. |
June 30, 2013
JUST YESTERDAY, our beloved Sister Gretchen Reintjes left Greensboro bound for glory — to Morehead City and then to her hometown, St Paul. We will miss seeing her in full summer battle dress — a brilliant white habit — strolling the aisles of the Farmers Curb Market, stopping to chat with everyone who looked like they weren’t from here, greeting Montagnard women at their new table, talking to Annah at Zaytoon’s, and discussing with anyone who shared her passion for social justice about the disgusting state of the city's poor and especially its refugee communities. Sister Gretchen was ever-present at significant neighborhood events elected officials and so-called leaders should have attended but rarely or never did.
Before her unfortunate accident we met at Smith’s Diner, her favorite. She recalled the disgraceful treatment of Iraqis that led to Lutheran Family Services’ downfall, the tragedies of refugee families faced with funeral costs, and painful stories about newcomers that will probably never be properly aired. She was loved and respected by folks of all faiths and heathens like myself because she wasn't bucking for promotion or re-election and wasn't punching a clock.
Because she was old, a nun and had volunteered to be poor (who in their right mind does that?) some thought she was “holy” or uncritical of the Catholic Church. For those, Sister G’s outspoken liberalism (she had a “Forward!” sticker on her patio door), criticism of all local big churches, and directness was either a shock or dismissed as impolite Yankee talk shielded behind odd appearances.
Sister G. will return — in about three weeks. After time with family recuperating she’ll rejoin her order. But she’ll come back and say hello and goodbye to Greensboro — to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable — one more time.
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What kind of stuff did Sister G give us? What kinds of things does a nun accumulate? I got her copy of Zinn’s People’s History of the United States and all her Ronald Takaki books. These books are the continuations of many of our conversations and reminders of the knowledge which is missing in so many discussions that go on in Greensboro about refugees and immigrants. So many Montagnard women wove exceptional examples of traditional blankets as gifts for Sister that she passed on to Betsy for safe keeping. We hope these will one day find a good home in a proper Montagnard cultural center.
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| Last day in her apartment. Notice her Montagnard shoulder bag. |
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| Among best friends |
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| Bound for glory, or Morehead City. |
What’s the best way to honor her legacy here in Greensboro and all those like Sister Gretchen who have not been afraid to speak Truth to Power?
Fighting against conditions like this where poor, refugees and immigrants live and a greater Greensboro community that ignores or tolerates inequality is the best way to honor the work of people like Sister Gretchen.
