Maureen Aaron is a religious sister to the Saint John’s Roman Catholic Church, and a home based nurse for HIV and AIDS, TB patients, orphans and vulnerable children in less advantaged areas.
She is also greatly involved in the Ithembalethu Outreach Project.
Sister Maureen attended Claire Wood Primary and Girls High School, thereafter she did general nursing and midwifery at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Marianhill.
Among the many subjects she covered included AIDS counselling, trauma, death and dying and bereavement concealing. A few fond memories of her childhood in Durban, besides equipping herself with the powerful weapon of education, are the days she spent with her loving and dedicated family whom taught her all her values, which played huge role in making her the woman she is today. She also recalls what a major role prayer played in her family’s lives.
Some of the values dear to Sister Maureen are love, deep respect for yourself and others and being just when accepting and caring for others.
The one woman Sister Maureen not only looks up to but thinks is a phenomenal lady is Mother Teresa, because she dedicated her life unconditionally to helping the poor. Sister Maureen feels some of the challenges faced by women today would have to be proving themselves as capable of being as manly as men. And having to be independent and tough, proving that the kitchen isn’t the only place where women belong.
A few victories achieved after Woman’s Day was first declared as a public holiday, according to Sister Maureen, are women no longer being looked down on as any less than men and woman are now able to represent themselves in world bodies. Advice from this God fearing woman is for women to respect themselves and never to stop educating themselves as that is the key to opening many doors in life.
Reach out to those in need, make a difference in lives of others. Mothers care for your children and instill long life values in them.
“I believe everyone has the ability to make a positive change in the world. I also believe every woman is beautiful and capable and there is a place for every woman willing to change the world. With your trust placed in God all things are possible,” were some of the inspirational words shared with women out there. “You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation.” This over the years has no longer been considered a quote as Sister Maureen strongly believes in it for she’s lived to see it come to life.