Awards

Judith has earned the following awards for her work:

  • 2022: Honorary Doctor of Letters, St. Peter’s University, Jersey City, New Jersey.
    Judith speaking at St. Peter’s University in New Jersey, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in English and Classical Languages. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and received an honorary doctorate from St. Peter’s University in 2022.
  • 2018: Illinois News Broadcasters Association “Best Reporter” Award
  • 2017: Three Illinois Press Association Awards, including “Best Investigative Series,” for “What’s In Your Water?” and two 1st Place Awards,
    Associated Press of Illinois, for Best Newswriter and Best Series or Documentary.
  • 2016: McLean County YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, and Association of Women in Communications Award
  • 2015: two Edward R. Murrow Awards for Best Investigative Series, Radio, for “Police and Race in the Twin Cities;” five  Illinois Press Association Awards: Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society induction.
  • 2014: Religion Newswriters Association, Second Place, Non-Fiction Religion Book of the Year, for Atchison Blue: A Search for Silence, a Spiritual Home and a Living Faith; Catholic Press Association First Place Award, “Best Spirituality Book in Paperback” for Atchison Blue: A Search for Silence, A Spiritual Home and a Living Faith; Catholic Press Association Award, Second Place, “Best Spirituality Book in Paperback,” for The Art of Pausing: Meditations for the Overworked and Overwhelmed.
  • 2008: Muriel Craft Bailey Finalist: “Mother of God Monastery, Watertown, South Dakota.” (Poem);  Eric Hoffer Award (Poetry Book) First Runner Up: Twenty Poems to Nourish Your Soul.
  • 2005: National Aldrich Poetry Prize: Inventing an Alphabet (Book), awarded by Pulitzer Prize winning poet, Mary Oliver; Jo-Anne Hirshfield Poetry Award: “Body & Soul” (Poem).
  • 2004: Best Catholic Writing of 2004 (Essay) “The 5:30 Irregulars;” Unity Award in Media: Misericordia (Feature Film); Finalist, Emily Dickinson Prize
  • 2003: Illinois Arts Council Poetry Award: “Green” (poem).
  • 2002: Certificate for Creative Excellence: “Deaf Mass.” (Televised Report).
  • 2001: Silver Screen Award: “Rural Churches“ (Televised Report).
  • 1992 (Feature Writing) and 1986 (Public Service): Finalist for Pulitzer Prize

Leadership Roles, Organizations & Affiliations

Judith has served with these organizations:

 

  • Regular Contributor, Give Us This Day (monthly prayer resource published by Liturgical Press)
  • 2023 Presenter, LA Religious Education Conference
  • President, International Thomas Merton Society
  • Board Member, American Benedictine Academy
  • Communications Director, International Oblate Congress
  • Oblate (Lay associate), Mount St. Scholastica Monastery, Atchison, Kansas
  • Inductee, Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society
  • Past President, Illinois Grand Prairie Master Naturalists
  • Past Publicity Chair, McLean County, Illinois League of Women Voters