Mary Emil Penet, I.H.M., (1916-2001) used her talents and charisma to shape the first national organization of American women religious, the Sister Formation Conference (SFC; 1954-1964), facilitating the integrated intellectual, spiritual, psychological, and professional development of vowed women religious. In the decade preceding Vatican II, her leadership generated a renewal among religious communities focusing first on preparing young sister teachers, then sisters of all ages, whatever their ministries. Her educational contributions affected sisters' development and ministries, their contribution to Vatican II aggiornamento, and later touched the lives of female college students, seminarians, and Catholic laity.