Sister Joan Chittister is one of the more influential religious and social leaders of our time. For forty years, she has passionately advocated on behalf of peace, human rights, women’s issues, and church renewal. Courageous, passionate, and charged with energy, she is a much sought-after speaker, commentator, counselor, and clear voice across all religions. She is an award-winning author of sixty books and hundreds of articles. She has received numerous writing awards and honors for her work, and is a noted international lecturer as well as a former fellow at St. Edmund’s College, Cambridge University, England. 

Sister Joan is a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Pennsylvania, and served as prioress for twelve years. She also served as president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, an organization of the leaders of Catholic religious women in the United States, and president of the Conference of American Benedictine Prioresses.

She received her Masters degree from the University of Notre Dame and a doctorate in speech communications from Penn State University. She is the founder and executive director of Benetvision, a resource and research center for contemporary spirituality located in Erie.