If Rita Smith-Wade-El is truly “like a shark,” as her son Ismail says, she swims through a world full of injustice and want, intent on destroying the poverty, injustice, and apathy that have been her prey since childhood. A discalced Carmelite nun, she is as devoted to her church as she is to the NAACP, women’s rights, and generally being an activist. I asked how she chooses which causes to support, and she answered that she doesn’t. In short, her mission is boundless. Although Rita is a long-time warrior against cancer, most recently in the form of a brain tumor, the vigor in her voice conveys her seemingly inexhaustible store of energy. We talked long after I wrapped the interview, and I suspect she could have kept going even longer. I was—and am—in awe of her.

Rita’s definition of art is as expansive as her mission field. To her, art and culture are synonymous, which is why preserving and supporting the arts is of paramount importance. Our discussion swerved into a number of topics, and she approached each one with her characteristic passion.