Joan of Arc and the Warriors Among Us

Guest Post – Gabriela Robles, Chief Executive

May 30 is the feast day of St. Joan of Arc, a young woman whose story has always felt larger than life. She was born to a peasant family and, as a teenager, became a military and spiritual figure during the Hundred Years’ War. Her conviction and bravery were difficult for many to understand, but centuries after her execution, she was canonized by the Catholic Church. In addition to being the patron saint of France and of soldiers, she is remembered as a fierce and fearless warrior.

Growing up Catholic, we are asked to choose saints whose virtues align with our interests as mentors and guides. My chosen patron saint was the warrior, Joan of Arc, whom I picked because she reminds me of what is possible when ordinary people respond to extraordinary times with love and conviction.

For “adult” me, Joan of Arc has become a reminder that warriors do not always look like the figures we see in history books. Sometimes they wear armor. Sometimes they risk their lives to provide for their families. Sometimes they sit at boardroom tables, hospital conference rooms, kitchen tables, or community meetings, asking how their work will impact the people they serve.

My connection to my patron saint deepened when a sister I worked alongside gave me a Joan of Arc medallion (pictured). She saw Joan as a symbol of women leaders who courageously advocate for community, and she wanted me to carry that reminder with me. I have worn it during meaningful moments in my life, not because I see myself as Joan of Arc, but because it reminds me of the women around me who carry that spirit every day.

Joan of Arc didn’t allow her beginning to define the limits of her calling.

When I think about warriors, I think of my mom. Even with her limited formal education, she understood opportunity. She always looked for tools to help her children thrive. She was resourceful, tenacious, bold, and ahead of her time. I also think about my grandmother, who I do not talk about often enough, but who was a strong leader and businesswoman. And I think about immigrant women who make impossible decisions with courage that few people ever see. Warrior strength is women carrying their babies, their faith, their fear, and their hope into an unknown future because they believe their children deserve more.

I think about the Sisters of St. Joseph, whose courage is quieter but no less powerful. They have taught me that leadership rooted in love does not need to be loud to be transformative. Their commitment to serving the dear neighbor without distinction continues to shape the way I understand mission, hospitality, dignity, and justice. Their ministries are grounded in relationships, healing, and reconciliation, and they remind me that gratitude, love, and presence can be forms of leadership.

I think about women leaders like Laureen Driscoll, chief executive of Providence’s South Division, who lead in deeply challenging times and still bring their values forward with courage. They lead with their hearts and their intelligence. They make difficult decisions, but they do not make them in isolation from the people impacted by them. They understand that the work is not only about arriving at a solution. It is about how we get there.

The women warriors in my life are strategic and thoughtful. They focus on collective power, not individual, and bring partners to the table. They make time for discernment and make sure not to exclude people from important conversations. They understand, in the spirit of Catholic social teaching, that those closest to the challenge must be part of shaping the response.

I want younger women like my daughter to know that women can be each other’s protectors, champions, truth-tellers, and companions. I want her to feel the strength of connection among women and to understand that there will be hard rooms and difficult seasons, but she carries the strength of many women with her.

Joan of Arc’s life was tragic, but her spirit was one of conviction, and she persevered because she believed she had a purpose. All the women warriors who have shaped me are not warriors because they choose to fight. They are warriors because they refuse to abandon love.