Diane Donoghue '54

Sister Diane Donoghue sadly passed away on Feb. 26, 2017 at the age of 86. For 50 years Donoghue was an effective and relentless advocate for systemic change. She was a key player in formulating public policy with respect to housing, economic development and living wage issues. She devoted her life to assisting the poor and underrepresented in our community.

Donoghue was active as a student leader at UCLA, especially in University Religious Conference projects, including service on the UniCamp Board, Panel of Americans and in 1953 Project India, where her observations of extreme poverty affected her profoundly and greatly influenced her philosophy and life. After graduating in political science from UCLA, she entered the Sisters of Social Service in 1955. For the rest of her life, Donoghue would be an activist for social change while pursuing her deep commitment to religion.

Donoghue later graduated with a Master's Degree in 1969 and during the same period, she set up a hot lunch program for senior citizens in the area and arranged classes for them through the Los Angeles Unified School District. She went on to work as the director of a residential treatment center for adolescents with mental health issues in Sacramento, California. 

In 1985 Donoghue became the community organizer for St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in South Central Los Angeles and, four years later, founded Esperanza Community Housing Corporation. The corporation's first achievement was the Villa Esperanza Apartments – 33 units of affordable housing for large families, a community center and an on-site Head Start program, the first of 10 similar developments. She also raised funds – a $750,000 capital campaign – for the administrative headquarters for Esperanza Housing and the USC Head Start Child Care Center, which opened in South Central in August 1995.

A founding member of the South Central Organizing Committee, she raised $75,000 to get the committee started. She served on the Nehemiah West Housing Corporation, the Clergy Caucus of United Neighborhood Council, USC and on the Ninth Council District Project Area Revitalization Committee. In 2003 she was appointed to the board of directors of the Los Angeles branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

Sister Diane retired from Esperanza in 2006, going on to work with the Development Department of the Sisters of Social Service.

Donoghue received many awards and accolades throughout her life including the 1996 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing, the 1997 UCLA Alumni Award for Community Service, the Empowerment Award from the Los Angeles Archdiocese, an Honorary Doctorate from Occidental College, the 2002 National “Courage in Community” Award from the McAuley Institute and the 2007 Edward A. Dickson UCLA Alumnus of the Year Award.

Sister Diane was a guiding light for community organization and service, and a shining example of the kindness of the human spirit.