CHICAGO, IL, July 10, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Winifred O. Whelan has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Whelan, a distinguished member of the School Sisters of St. Francis, has dedicated her life to education and religious scholarship. Her career began in 1950 as a first-grade teacher, where she laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to teaching. She progressed to high school education, imparting knowledge in Latin and theology, subjects in which she is now recognized as an expert. After completing her doctorate, she joined the faculty at St. Bonaventure University as a professor. Dr. Whelan's work at the university was marked by a deep dedication to teaching and research until she attained the title of professor emerita.

A passion for continuous improvement drove Dr. Whelan to pursue academic excellence. She completed a bachelor's degree from Alverno College in 1953 before pursuing graduate studies. She now holds a master's degree from Marquette University, earned in 1969, and in 1985, she earned a PhD from Northwestern University, which she counts as her most significant accomplishment. Notably, Dr. Whelan's thesis on the evolution of language in Catholic liturgy received critical acclaim and helped elevate her reputation as a thought leader in her field.

Beyond academia, Dr. Whelan served as the director of religious education in several Chicago parishes, where she played a pivotal role in shaping religious instruction and community outreach. She has also deliberately explored linguistics to deepen her understanding of language's role in religion, and Dr. Whelan has contributed to theological discourse through memberships in the Catholic Theological Society of America and the College Theology Society.

Dr. Whelan attributes her success to perseverance in overcoming life's challenges. In retirement, she continues to make important contributions through her involvement with Wikipedia and its Women and Religion group. As a persistent advocate for women's presence in religious history, Dr. Whelan addresses gender bias on the platform by increasing the representation of women in religion, driven by her belief that the individuals about whom she writes should be appreciated for their many meaningful contributions.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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