photographer, journalist, social change activist Mev Puleo 1963-1996

1. photographer, journalist, social change activistMevPuleo1963-1996 Darlene Van Clief

2. Mev’s Early Life • Grew up in Saint Louis • Had a comfortable childhood • Her interest of third world poverty began at the age of 14 on a family vacation to Brazil • Christ The Redeemer • Astounded by the separation of the rich and poor in close proximities • One side of the mountain were homeless and the other side were where the wealthy resided. • The devastation of those peoples lives became clear and she wanted to change

3. Schooling Attended Catholic school from elementary to college Graduated from St. Louis University in 1985 with Latin studies and Political Journalism degree Attended graduate school at Weston School of Theology, where she met Mark Chimel Graduated in 1990 Married Mark in 1992

4. Photography • Her interest in helping others was influenced by her faith at a young age • Passionate toward art • Known for taking her camera everywhere with her • What she viewed through a lens made larger impression on her than a book • Learned more from other peoples lives • Utilized photography to send a message to the world making bold statements that could not be overlooked

5. Photography • Captures beauty and light in the same picture of devastation and poverty • A picture is worth a thousand words and Mevs are worth million • Documented homelessness in theUnited States, Haiti, El Salvador, Mexico and Brazil • Often in the slums • Goal: Bridge gap between rich and poor by publicizing the poor's struggles

6. Personal Life • Diagnosed with malignant brain tumor in 1994 • Died on January 12, 1996 at the age of 32 • She was known as a fun loving, free spirit by her friends and family • Often described as ‘A woman on a mission’ • Her husband Mark wrote ‘Book Of Mev’ which he describes as “an ardent search for faith, hope and love” MevPuleo and Pope John Paul II

7. The MevPuleo Scholarship • Her parents Evelyn and Peter established : MevPuleo Scholarship in Latin American Theology • Created in hopes of its recipients becoming great social justice advocates Gustavo Gutierrez and MevPuleo Maryknoll, NY July 1988

8. Mev’s Message • Applies to the classroom, faith, and overall everyday life. • The three theological virtues; faith, hope and love are the foundation of Christian moral life and the three things Mev lived her life in search of • Her goal was to increase awareness of the daily struggle that the poor endured • Actively confronted poverty, violence and a world full of injustices

9. Mev’s Message • There is very little documentation on Mev and her work • Photography reflected the beauty and pain in the daily struggles of the poor • Contributed to the community by making a bold statement through a picture • Although she lived a short life she didn’t waste time • She devoted her life to have a voice for those who could not speak • Evaluate ones character and negative influences

10. Mev’s Message Written as a college student She lived up to everything she stated Mev witnessed suffering not only in the poor, but in herself through her personal struggles of cancer She died young but her life had meaning and purpose, by serving God and living out His message “When I was in my early teens, a thought took hold of me. Jesus didn’t die to save us from suffering — he died to teach us how to suffer, to be with us in our every anguish and agony, to give meaning to our pain. . . . Sometimes I actually mean it. I’d rather die young, having lived a life crammed with meaning than to die old, even in security, but without meaning.”