The Woman of the Year event is an evening meant to honor special women whose lives, talents and passions shape the Cass Clay community, while financially supporting the mission and the programs of YWCA Cass Clay.

Sister Andrea Arendt is the director of Presentation Prayer Center.  She earned a master's degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University Chicago.  As a member of the Fargo-Moorhead Abrahamic Interfaith Group, she reaches out to other faiths in the community.  This group, which includes Jews, Muslims and Christians, promotes peace and dialog among the religions.  For the past 13 years, S Andrea has organized a monthly ecumenical service of prayer for peace and reconciliation, Prayer in the Spirit of Taize.  She is also and organizer and teacher for F/M Communiversity

S. Andrea has been a member of the Presentation Sisters for more than 40 years.  She is the director of Presentation Prayer Center, a catholic institution serving a broad ecumenical constituency.  Under her leadership, the Center has become an oasis for the Fargo-Moorhead faith community.

 S. Andrea began an annual single-parenting retreat, and she has offered a weekly spirituality class at the YWCA Shelter for three years.  She also hosts a "Women in Ministry" peer support group and helped plan the FM Aids Candlelight Service.

In her quiet but determined way, S. Andrea empowers others to share their gifts.

YWCA 35th Annual Women of the Year - April 21, 2008