Donor profile: Victoria Almeida

 As is the case with so many of our donors, Victoria Almeida has been touched by the spirit, mission, and values of the Sisters of Mercy: “It was the Sisters of Mercy who, by their lives and witness, taught me the fundamental Gospel message of service to others, especially those in need.”

Victoria, an attorney and shareholder with Adler, Sheehan & Pollock P.C. in Providence, Rhode Island, first became acquainted with the Mercys when, like many others, her parents registered her at Mercymount Country Day School in Cumberland, Rhode Island. While there, she listened, watched, and learned by the sisters’ example what it meant to be a caring, compassionate, and loving person. Victoria states, “Every sister had a message.” Victoria is grateful that her Mercy education spanned so many years. She attended boarding school at St. Mary Academy- Bay View in Riverside, Rhode Island, then went on to join her sister, Lillian, at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. In fact, if only the Sisters of Mercy had administered a law school, she would have attended that school too!

Victoria’s Mercy education introduced her to a world larger than her loving family. Her eyes were opened to the reality that life outside of what she knew was filled with suffering, poverty, neglect, racism, hunger, and abuse. Both the Sisters of Mercy and Victoria’s parents taught her that she who had been blessed with so much, needed to find a way to give of her bounty in order that others may live quality lives. While a student at Salve Regina, Victoria became interested in social justice issues. She participated in protests around Newport, and worked to help resolve the problems facing many people in need. Victoria remains involved in civic causes to this day, and attributes the person she is today to the presence of the Sisters ofMercy in her life.

Victoria knows well the sacrifice her parents made to give her a Mercy education. Of those sacrifices, Victoria’s mother remarks, “For every nickel we spent, we received a dime back.” And so have the Sisters of Mercy. Victoria has supported Mercy in many ways over the years – as a loyal donor, volunteer, and board member of various Mercy organizations, including St. Mary Academy - Bay View, the Mercy Development Advisory Board, Mount St. Rita Health Center in Cumberland, Rhode Island, and the Celebration of Mercy event committee. We are grateful to Victoria for everything she is giving back to Mercy.