| Intro | South African zoologist |
| Is | Zoologist |
| From | South Africa |
| Type | Biology |
| Gender | female |
Teresa Kearney (Mother Kevin) (1875-1957) was a teacher, Franciscan Sister, and missionary. She was born in Knockenrahan, Arklow, Ireland on April 28, 1875. At the age of 17, she became a Junior Assistant Mistress and taught at a school in Essex, England. On December 2, 1902, she left to begin missionary work in Nsambya, Uganda. She worked as a Franciscan Sister of Saint Mary’s Abbey, Mill Hill, London. In 1952 Kearney founded the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa. Kearney’s work in East Africa resulted in the formation of multiple hospitals and training of nurses throughout the region. Her name serves as the root of the word Kevina, meaning “hospital” or “charity institute” in Uganda.