Dorothy Day

Date of Birth: November 8, 1897

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: November 29, 1980

Biography

Dorothy Day was an influential American journalist, social activist, and devout Catholic convert who co-founded the Catholic Worker Movement. Born into a nominally religious family, Day’s early life was marked by a passion for social justice and activism. She was deeply influenced by her experiences in New York City, where she encountered the harsh realities of poverty and labor exploitation. In 1933, along with Peter Maurin, she co-founded the Catholic Worker Movement, which aimed to live out the principles of Catholic social teaching through direct aid to the poor and homeless, nonviolent advocacy for social justice, and communal living. Day’s conversion to Catholicism in 1927 marked a profound turn in her life, leading her to integrate her faith with her activism. She authored several books, including her autobiography, “The Long Loneliness,” and was a prolific writer for “The Catholic Worker” newspaper. Her work earned her both admiration and criticism, but her commitment to peace, social justice, and the dignity of every human being remained unwavering throughout her life. Day was considered for sainthood by the Catholic Church, and her cause for canonization was opened in 2000.

5 Interesting Facts about Dorothy Day

1. Dorothy Day was arrested multiple times for her activism, including protests against World War I, nuclear arms, and for civil rights.

2. She was a single mother to her daughter Tamar Teresa Batterham, born out of wedlock, which was highly unconventional for her time.

3. Day was an avid journalist and wrote for several publications, including “The Call,” “The Masses,” and “The Catholic Worker.”

4. The Catholic Worker Movement she co-founded still operates today, running over 200 communities worldwide.

5. Day’s conversion to Catholicism was deeply influenced by the birth of her daughter, which led her to seek a faith that aligned with her values of social justice and compassion.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Dorothy Day

1. “The greatest challenge of the day is: how to bring about a revolution of the heart, a revolution which has to start with each one of us?”

2. “We have all known the long loneliness, and we have found that the answer is community.”

3. “Don’t call me a saint. I don’t want to be dismissed so easily.”

4. “Our problems stem from our acceptance of this filthy, rotten system.”

5. “Food for the body is not enough. There must be food for the soul.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Dorothy Day was not driven by financial gain and lived a life of voluntary poverty. Therefore, her net worth was negligible, as she devoted her life to service and activism rather than accumulating wealth.

Children

Dorothy Day had one daughter, Tamar Teresa Batterham, born on March 4, 1926. Tamar was raised in the Catholic faith and, like her mother, was involved in the Catholic Worker Movement. She married and had nine children, giving Dorothy Day many grandchildren.