The renowned broadcast journalist and former PBS anchor will present "Ethical Challenges for Journalism: Democracy at a Crossroad” as part of the Open VISIONS Forum’s Women and Leadership Series, generously sponsored by Bank of America.
On Wednesday, April 26 at 8 p.m., Fairfield University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts will welcome accomplished senior correspondent and former anchor of PBS NewsHour, Judy Woodruff. One of America’s most accomplished political journalists, Woodruff has covered breaking news and politics for five decades — spanning eight presidential elections — on networks such as NBC, CNN, and PBS.
As part of Fairfield University’s Open VISIONS Forum, Woodruff’s presentation, "Ethical Challenges for Journalism: Democracy at a Crossroad” is part of the OVF’s Women and Leadership Series, presented by Bank of America, designed to open minds and celebrate female leaders around the world.
“Bank of America believes in creating a more equitable future by investing in and empowering women in our communities,” said Bill Tommins, president, Bank of America Southern Connecticut. “The Quick Center’s Women and Leadership series is a valuable resource, providing space and opportunity for the community to gather and experience diverse perspectives. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of this program and welcoming Judy Woodruff to Fairfield.”
A graduate of Duke University, Woodruff became White House correspondent for NBC News in 1976, a position she held for six years. From 1983 to 1993, she was the chief Washington correspondent for the MacNeil/Lehrer PBS NewsHour. In addition, from 1984 to 1990, she anchored PBS' award-winning documentary series, Frontline With Judy Woodruff. She moved to CNN in 1993 and served as anchor and senior correspondent for 12 years, mainly anchoring the weekday program Inside Politics.
In 2007, Woodruff returned to the PBS NewsHour and also completed an extensive project on the views of young Americans for PBS, titled Generation Next: Speak Up. Be Heard. In 2011, she anchored and reported for the PBS documentary Nancy Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime.
In 2013, on the PBS NewsHour, Woodruff and Gwen Ifill were named the first two women to co-anchor a national news broadcast; Woodruff became sole anchor from 2016 until stepping down in May 2022.
The Commencement speaker at virtual ceremonies for both the Class of 2020 and 2021, Woodruff received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Fairfield University in 2021. She is the recipient of dozens of additional honorary degrees, as well as the Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Radcliffe Medal, the Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism, the Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award from the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism from Arizona State University. She is the author of This is Judy Woodruff at the White House, published in 1982 by Addison-Wesley.
Woodruff is a founding co-chair of the International Women's Media Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting and encouraging women in journalism and communication industries worldwide. She serves on the boards of trustees of the Freedom Forum, The Duke Endowment, and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and is a director of Public Radio International and the National Association to End Homelessness.
Judy Woodruff’s Open VISIONS Forum at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26 is generously presented by Bank of America, and is also supported by Moffly Media, Delamar Southport, Delamar Spa, and Artisan Restaurant. Tickets are $30, or $20 for Quick Members. For more information or to reserve your seat, visit quickcenter.com or call the Quick Center Box Office at 203-254-4010, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
