SISTER MARY LANNING
Activist Nun • Community Organizer • Founder of YES!Solutions
About Sister Mary
Sister Mary Lanning was an activist nun for over 60 years, dedicating her life to grassroots service, social justice, and compassion in Harlem and beyond.
In recognition of the needs in her Harlem neighborhood, she founded YES!Solutions, a person-to-person outreach organization that provides meals, aid for the homeless, assistance for the unemployed, and community companionship—continuing the tradition of truly neighborly support
A Life of Service
Sister Mary quietly and steadfastly served marginalized communities, shuttling youth to jobs, organizing street-side Thanksgiving meals, and fostering genuine relationships through charitable work—despite her own requests for minimal fanfare at her passing.
Her life was described by peers as well beyond selflessness—she was a lawyer in the community of charity, humility, and disciplined compassion. After her passing, the Insurance Federation of New York and community partners honored her profound impact with heartfelt tributes
Words of Yes by Mary Lanning,
read at St. Andrews on Good Friday
Observation on Thanksgiving Night-a late night.
New York City Streets,
Pile after pile of large black plastic bags.
Throw-away remnants of extravagant feasting.
Scattered, loose debris outside buildings on Park Avenue,
In alleys in the South Bronx,
In the under-bridges of Harlem riverfronts.
NOT EVERY BAG IS GARBAGE.
A new experience, one day in 1970…
“Don’t be afraid. It’s me, Mary.
I have a blanket and hot soup,
A warm biscuit,
A boiled egg for the morning.”
”Are you okay for the night?
Could you use another blanket?
It’s going to get colder later.
I have some delicious, smoky sweet-potato soup.
Just made tonight.”
I will be by your side until you are comfortable again.
An excerpt from Words of Yes by Mary Lanning.
