Jean Pruitt
Encyclopedia
Jean Pruitt is an American
Maryknoll Sister
operating in Dar es Salaam
, Tanzania
. She is best known for her activism in promoting Tanzanian art and defending Tanzanian children's rights
. She has been working with the Maryknoll Sisters and the Roman Catholic Church of Tanzania
since 1969, and received several awards for her contributions to the Tanzanian society and culture.
, and by 1967 she graduated from Mary Rogers University (New York
) with a Bachelor's degree in Education. The following year, she completed her studies in Social Works at the University of Buffalo in New York City.
, operating in favor of the healthy development of Tanzanian youth and children. Since her very early years in Tanzania, she founded a number of organizations intended to support young Tanzanian artists. The best known such organization is the Nyumba ya Sanaa
(founded in 1972), an art workshop in Dar es Salaam. The same year she also founded the Tanzanian branch of Caritas
, and in 1988 she was cofounder of the Tanzania Mozambique Friendship Association (TAMOFA). In 1992 she founded the Dogodogo Centre, an organization specifically established to support the increasing number of street child
ren in Dar es Salaam city.
In 2000, Pruitt became Governor of the Global Network of Religions for Children - Africa (GNRC-Africa). In this organization she started several programs, including a successful "Education for Peace Program" for educating children and youth about diversity, tolerance and conflict resolution.
Pruitt is also one of the founding members of the Stepping Stone Trust Fund that supports youth and children in pastoralist communities by working with the EMUSOI organization, and also supports vulnerable children in Tanzania.
. Patrick Francis Imanjama is another globally recognized artist well known for his paintings, book drawing and etching abilities. Like Lilanga, Patrick was supported by Pruitt and with her help was able to hold exhibitions abroad (in Germany
, Austria
and New York City
). Other artists discovered by Pruitt include Augustion Malaba, Henry Likonde and Edward Kiiza.
for her contribution to the development of the Tanzanian Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO). On December 17 2005 she also received the National ZEZE Award for her work in supporting Tanzanian artists and culture.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Maryknoll Sister
Maryknoll
Maryknoll is a name shared by three organizations that are part of the Roman Catholic Church and whose joint focus is on the overseas mission activity of the Catholic Church in the United States...
operating in Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam , formerly Mzizima, is the largest city in Tanzania. It is also the country's richest city and a regionally important economic centre. Dar es Salaam is actually an administrative province within Tanzania, and consists of three local government areas or administrative districts: ...
, Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
. She is best known for her activism in promoting Tanzanian art and defending Tanzanian children's rights
Children's rights
Children's rights are the human rights of children with particular attention to the rights of special protection and care afforded to the young, including their right to association with both biological parents, human identity as well as the basic needs for food, universal state-paid education,...
. She has been working with the Maryknoll Sisters and the Roman Catholic Church of Tanzania
Roman Catholicism in Tanzania
The Roman Catholic Church in Tanzania is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome.There are around 9 million Catholics in the country - about a quarter of the total population...
since 1969, and received several awards for her contributions to the Tanzanian society and culture.
Early life
Pruitt completed her studies at the Nativity School in Los Angeles in 1953 and at the Bishop Conaty High School in 1957. In 1958 she joined the Maryknoll Sisters in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, and by 1967 she graduated from Mary Rogers University (New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
) with a Bachelor's degree in Education. The following year, she completed her studies in Social Works at the University of Buffalo in New York City.
In Tanzania
In 1969, Pruitt was sent to Tanzania by the Maryknoll Sisters to work with the local Roman Catholic Church. She began her activity in Tanzania in the Catholic Relief ServicesCatholic Relief Services
Catholic Relief Services is the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Founded in 1943 by the U.S. bishops, the agency provides assistance to 130 million people in more than 90 countries and territories in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and...
, operating in favor of the healthy development of Tanzanian youth and children. Since her very early years in Tanzania, she founded a number of organizations intended to support young Tanzanian artists. The best known such organization is the Nyumba ya Sanaa
Nyumba ya Sanaa
Nyumba ya Sanaa , also known as the Mwalimu Nyerere Cultural Centre or Julius Nyerere Cultural Centre, is a cultural centre, art workshop and shop located in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, established to promote local art and craftmanship.The Centre was founded by American Maryknoll Sisters' affiliate...
(founded in 1972), an art workshop in Dar es Salaam. The same year she also founded the Tanzanian branch of Caritas
Caritas (charity)
Caritas Internationalis is a confederate of 164 Roman Catholic relief, development and social service organisations operating in over 200 countries and territories worldwide....
, and in 1988 she was cofounder of the Tanzania Mozambique Friendship Association (TAMOFA). In 1992 she founded the Dogodogo Centre, an organization specifically established to support the increasing number of street child
Street Child
Street Child is a debut album by Mexican alternative rock vocalist, Elan. It contains her biggest hit, Midnight.Ricardo Burgos from Sony Music called Street Child "a history making release in Latin America".-Re-edition track listing:...
ren in Dar es Salaam city.
In 2000, Pruitt became Governor of the Global Network of Religions for Children - Africa (GNRC-Africa). In this organization she started several programs, including a successful "Education for Peace Program" for educating children and youth about diversity, tolerance and conflict resolution.
Pruitt is also one of the founding members of the Stepping Stone Trust Fund that supports youth and children in pastoralist communities by working with the EMUSOI organization, and also supports vulnerable children in Tanzania.
Recognized artists she discovered
Through her many activities in support of Tanzanian art, and especially so after opening the Nyumba ya Sanaa, Pruitt discovered a number of talents that later got national and international acclaim. The most notable such artist is probably painter and sculptor George LilangaGeorge Lilanga
George Lilanga was a Tanzanian artist. He was of the Makonde tribe and lived in Dar es Salaam. His work was exhibited in international expositions of African contemporaries including Africa Remix in Düsseldorf, Paris, London and Tokyo...
. Patrick Francis Imanjama is another globally recognized artist well known for his paintings, book drawing and etching abilities. Like Lilanga, Patrick was supported by Pruitt and with her help was able to hold exhibitions abroad (in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
). Other artists discovered by Pruitt include Augustion Malaba, Henry Likonde and Edward Kiiza.
Awards
As an acknowledgement of her many contributions to the Tanzanian community, Pruitt has received several awards. In 1983 she was awarded the Tanzanian National Award by President Julius NyerereJulius Nyerere
Julius Kambarage Nyerere was a Tanzanian politician who served as the first President of Tanzania and previously Tanganyika, from the country's founding in 1961 until his retirement in 1985....
for her contribution to the development of the Tanzanian Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO). On December 17 2005 she also received the National ZEZE Award for her work in supporting Tanzanian artists and culture.