Sister Judith Birgen receives St. George Emblem from Archdiocese of Chicago

Sister Judith Birgen was recently presented the St. George Emblem by the Archdiocese of Chicago for her years of service in Catholic Scouting.

The emblem is presented by the Archdiocese through nomination and recommendation of a person’s peers and colleagues in recognition for service. The national recognition is reviewed by the Religious Emblems Committee under Deacon Al Memmel. Following recommendation of the Archdiocese Chaplain and Chairman, the nomination is then sent to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. There are two given out by the Archdiocese annually.

Sister Judith, better known as Sister Judy, received the emblem on January 30, during the annual Religious Emblems Ceremony at Holy Name Cathedral.

In a letter Sister Judy received from the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Committee on Scouting, Chairman Deborah Sitz said, “Your work on behalf o Catholic Scouts and scouting is truly appreciated and will be celebrated.”

The emblem is the highest honor the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Committee on Scouting can grant adults.

Sister Judy is a native of California. Her father was a Scoutmaster and four of her brothers were Boy Scouts. In addition, she has two nephews who are Eagle Scouts.

Sister Judy has a Ph.D. in Sociology and is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Chicago State University. She has also ministered as a social worker with Catholic Charities for a decade. She has been a Girl Scout Troop leader for 15 years and serves on the Troop Committee for Troop 778. She entered the Sisters of Providence in 1977.

Sister Judy founded the Illinois Hunger Coalition, an organization which combats hunger through education, fundraising and community building in 1988. In addition, she has traveled to Uganda as a Fulbright scholar to teach at Uganda Martyrs University.