Jennifer Boyle Sullivan ’84 has spent more than two decades serving women, children, and families in need with extraordinary compassion and commitment.
For 20 years, Jen was a driving force behind Mother’s Home in Darby, a shelter for pregnant women in crisis. “Basically everything you can do at the Mother’s Home, I did,” she says. Jen cleaned rooms, led fundraising efforts, secured grants for major renovations, organized holiday drives and baby showers, and provided hands-on care—including transporting expectant mothers to and from the hospital.
Her inspiration stems from her grandmother, who raised nine children after losing her husband at a young age and still found time to give back to Mother’s Home. “My grandfather passed away at the age of 40, leaving my grandmother with nine children; yet she always made giving back to the Mother’s Home a priority,” Jen reflects. That legacy, along with her deeply held pro-life values, shaped Jen’s long-standing commitment. “I believe if you’re going to tell someone to have a baby, you have to help.”
Jen also volunteers with the Sisters of Life, a religious community that walks with women facing unexpected pregnancies. In both Washington, D.C., and now in Philadelphia, she has helped organize their annual Christmas and Mother’s Day celebrations—joyful events where women and their children gather for food, fun, and fellowship. “It’s a day where moms feel seen, celebrated, and surrounded by love,” she shares. She and her husband also support the Sisters with practical needs, like building furniture and helping set up new spaces.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jen joined the grassroots team behind Murphy’s Giving Market in Upper Darby, helping it grow into a thriving food distribution hub that now serves more than 100 families each week. Whether coordinating food pickups or stocking shelves, she ensures every visitor is treated with dignity. “The whole point of the market is dignity—people can come and shop for healthy food just like anyone else,” she says. “It’s about community and respect for people who need help.”
Jen’s unwavering dedication to service is guided by a clear and humble philosophy: “I’ve been given a lot in life, and we have to level the playing field. You should help others if you’re able.”