Sister Mary Heinen was recentlychosen to receive the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition's Lawrence D. Gibson Interfaith Social Justice Award. She was nominated for the award by Barbara Dickie, Executive Director of St. Mary's Health Clinics, Toby Pearson, Executive Director of Catholic Health Association of Minnesota, Kathy Tomlin from Catholic Charities Office of Social Justice, and Sister Mary Madonna Ashton.

JRLC, as the organization is know colloquially, is composed of leaders representing the Minnesota Catholic Conference, the Islamic Center of Minnesota, the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Minnesota Council of Churches. The organization works to mobilize religious communities to influence public policy in Minnesota. S. Mary Heinen, Director of Advocacy for the St. Mary's Health Clinics, is also involved with many organizations which promote social justice and sits on many boards of directors, councils, and committees . Sister Mary works tirelessly to keep social justice issues in the forefront; hence she has been recognized in this most public way.

The award was presented to Sister Mary at the State Capitol on February 3  2009 during the JRLC's "Day on the Hill" event.