Sister Michel Keenan, IHM, was born in Payette, Idaho, and grew up in Spokane, Washington. She received her B.A. and M.A. from Marywood University in Scranton, PA, and her Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. As a Sister of IHM, she taught in secondary schools from Pittston, PA, to Portland, Oregon, and was a faculty member in philosophy, graduate dean, and academic vice president at Marywood University until elected as IHM Congregation superior general for two terms. Later she served as a faculty member and assistant vice president for ten years, and as special assistant to the president, Sister Kathleen Ross, snjm, for three years at Heritage University, Toppenish, WA. She has published four previous historical works: The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton, Pennsylvania: 1974-1994; The Sisters of IHM: 1919-1974; The Story of the Native Irish Sisters Who Entered the IHM Congregation; and A History of the IHM Sisters in South America.