The Nun Who Wanted to Change the World: Sister Mary John Mananzan

• Sister Mary John Mananzan, a Benedictine nun, has been a prominent activist in the Philippines for over five decades, advocating for the poor, women's rights, and environmental protection.
• She co-founded the grassroots women's alliance GABRIELA in 1984 and served as its chairperson for 18 years, while also founding the Institute of Women Studies at St. Scholastica’s College.
• Mananzan is known for "speaking truth to power," frequently challenging the Catholic Church's conservative stances on reproductive rights and vocally condemning government corruption.

Activist Roots and Foundational Moments

• Her "baptism of fire" occurred in 1975 during a strike at the La Tondeña distillery, the first open labor protest under Ferdinand Marcos’ martial law.
• Witnessing the brutal military crackdown on workers inspired her to form "Friends of Workers" and shift her focus to systemic labor conditions.

The Motivation Behind the Mission

• Mananzan grounds her activism in her religious vows, interpreting the life of Christ as an "option for the poor."
• She credits her spiritual journey and exposure to religious texts—specifically those referencing the "Christopher Approach"—for shaping her conviction that a nun should actively work to change the world.

Continued Engagement

• At 88, she remains active as a school administrator and a go-to voice for media on controversial social issues.
• She remains deeply involved in public life, having addressed the "Trillion Peso March" against government corruption in 2025 and leading the 40th-anniversary commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution in 2026.