From prison to Zayed prize: Sister Nelly León’s tale of compassion and justice

In a remarkable journey spanning from the depths of a Chilean prison to the prestigious stage of the 2024 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi, Sister Nelly León Correa emerges as an idol of compassion and justice. Her transformative work with incarcerated women has not only earned her international recognition but has also reshaped the narrative surrounding the dignity of those behind bars.

Early life

Born into a family of farmers in the humble village of Peralillo, Chile, on September 21, 1958, Nelly is the youngest of eight siblings. Despite facing poverty, she reminisces about a childhood filled with happiness, love, and a profound connection to God instilled by her parents. Despite her deep pain after losing her mother at the age of 17, she completed her studies and moved to Santiago to become a religion teacher.

Turning point

Nelly's life took a dramatic turn when she witnessed the abuse of a seven-year-old girl. This harrowing event propelled her into a lifelong commitment to helping vulnerable women and girls build a better future. In the 1980s, against her father's wishes, she joined the Congregation of the Good Shepherd, a Catholic religious institute dedicated to providing care, education, and support to marginalized women and girls around the world. She dedicated herself to accompanying women in vulnerable situations.

Life of service

Sister Nelly's journey led her to serve in homes for poor girls, experiencing the joys and challenges of motherhood. In 1999, she embraced her mission in a different capacity, accompanying women in prison in Valparaíso. The harsh reality behind bars tested her faith, but Nelly's unwavering commitment and empathy prevailed.

Mujer Levántate Foundation

Recognizing the need for holistic support for women leaving prison, Sister Nelly founded the Mujer Levántate Foundation. It began as a temporary reception project of female inmates right after leaving prison. It evolved into a comprehensive service addressing personal, relational, psychological, spiritual, and work-related skills to those women who gained freedom after being released from jail. The foundation's impact is evident in its impressive 6% recidivism rate, significantly lower than the national average of 50%.

Commitment during the pandemic

During the Covid-19 pandemic, when Chilean prisons barred visitors, Sister Nelly chose to stay inside Santiago's female prison for 18 months. This act of solidarity demonstrated her commitment to being a sister to those deprived of freedom, experiencing the struggles of imprisonment.

As the Christmas season approached during the pandemic, Nelly got an idea to relieve some of the pain of solitude experienced by women inmates. She wrote to Vatican News, saying of the inmates, “They live for years inside a place they don’t want to be, in conditions they do not want to live. This is an open wound that produces suffering and nostalgia, feelings that increase now during the Christmas Season. While families gather in all the homes in Chile, these women will follow the same daily rhythm of confinement and solitude in prison. On Christmas Eve, their greatest anxiety is not to be able to give any gifts to their children, and this anxiety was greater during Covid. So, in 2020, we collected materials and each of them prepared colourful Christmas cards for their children which were delivered to their homes through a network of collaborators. We also sent gifts on behalf of their mothers to the youngest children.”

Zayed Award for Human Fraternity

In a momentous achievement, Sister Nelly León received the 2024 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, an honor recognizing her outstanding contribution to peace, understanding, and solidarity. Alongside this accolade came a $1 million prize to support her projects aimed at restoring the lives of those deprived of liberty.

Challenges and future aspirations

As a tireless advocate for restorative justice, Sister Nelly acknowledges the challenges in changing societal perceptions about incarcerated individuals. Her goal is to stop imprisoning people, promote dignity, and provide opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration. The Zayed prize serves as a valuable asset in her ongoing struggle against mass incarceration in Chile and as appreciation to a woman who has not only touched the lives of countless incarcerated women but has also become a symbol of hope and resilience in the pursuit of a more just and compassionate society.