Sister Martha Ann Kirk, Th.D., a Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, is a Professor Emerita, University of the Incarnate Word, continuing to mentor in social justice, civic engagement, and compassion. She also serves as the Coordinator of Compassionate Colleges and Universities Initiative with the international Charter for Compassion.  She has taught in Religious  Studies, Art, Drama, and Education.

She holds a Th.D. in Theology and the Arts from the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA, and degrees from Fordham University, the University of New Mexico, and Incarnate Word  College. She has had educational opportunities in 32 countries encountering God’s large family and leading tours to the Holy Land, Guatemala, Turkey, Peru, Mexico, and Ireland. She passionately believes that followers of Christ are called to embrace nonviolence. She promotes the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative.

She has received awards and recognition as a “Teacher of Peace” and one who promotes  dialogue in the Holy Land. She was recognized as a San Antonio Peace Laureate.  She initiated Artistic Bridges, which currently has children in six counties creating and sharing art and poetry online. She is a joyful member of Mission Concepción where they pray in dance.  

She frequently writes for Global Sisters Report. She has  written Women of Bible Lands: A Pilgrimage to Compassion and Wisdom; Iraqi Women of Three  Generations: Challenges, Education, and Hopes for Peace; Celebrations of Biblical Women’s Stories: Tears, Milk, and Honey, a collection of dramas of biblical women with rituals, and will soon complete the story of Carla De Sola, sacred dancer and her beloved teacher.