Judith Valente has had an extensive career in both print and broadcast journalism and has experienced a front row seat to many of the changes sweeping American media. She began her career at the age of 21 as a staff writer for The Washington Post, then reported for The Wall Street Journal in that paper’s Chicago and London bureaus, and later spent many years covering religion and ethics for PBS-TV and writing investigative pieces for her NPR affiliate in central Illinois. Ms. Valente will explore current challenges in media and why journalism remains a sacred trust and worthy vocation.

Lunch is provided.

*We enjoy extending thoughtful hospitality to our community. To help offset meal-related costs, we invite our guests to consider a $10 contribution for lunch on the day of the event. We are grateful for your support of Upper House programming and hospitality.

Judith Valente is the author of four spirituality books on how to live a more contemplative life in the secular world, as well as two collections of poetry. She began her career at The Washington Post, then wrote for The Wall Street Journal in that paper’s Chicago and London Bureaus. She was twice finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in journalism and has won more than 20 broadcast awards. Her books include: How To Live: What The Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us About Happiness, Meaning and Community; The Art of Pausing: Meditations for the Overworked and Overwhelmed; Atchison Blue: A Search for Silence, A Spiritual Home and A Living Faith; and the anthology Twenty Poems to Nourish Your Soul. Her poetic, yet easily accessible style has made her a sought-after speaker and retreat leader. Ms. Valente lives in Illinois and is a lay associate of the Benedictine monastery Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, KS.