Presenter: Greta Kreuz, Emmy Award-Winning Journalist, Former Reporter/Anchor WJLA-TV, ABC7
Covering sensitive stories like abortion, gay marriage and the Catholic clergy sex abuse crisis can put a Catholic journalist at odds with the culture. Learn how she maintained credibility and effectiveness as a journalist while navigating a battle with lung cancer that upended her life.
Biography: Greta Kreuz is a veteran journalist for both print and broadcast, winner of multiple Emmy, AP and Edward R. Murrow awards.
Greta retired in 2014 after 26 years as reporter and anchor for ABC7/WJLA-TV in Washington, DC. During her tenure, she covered countless major events and issues, including 911, the inauguration of Barack Obama as America’s first African American president, the election of Pope Francis in Rome and the clergy sex abuse crisis.
She became the first full-time religion reporter for a Washington network affiliate in 1988, covering the death and funeral of St. Pope John Paul II and interviewing Anwar al-Awlaki, the cleric who later became the world’s No. 1 Al Qaeda terrorist, killed by a U.S. drone in Yemen in 2011.
Greta anchored the ABC7 Morning News for seven years before leaving to cover the O.J. Simpson trial.
She began her journalism career as an award-winning newspaper reporter and photographer in the Chicago area. She then went on to radio as news director for WVPO/WSBG in Stroudsburg, PA.
Her career in television news began as anchor/reporter for WBRE-TV in Wilkes-Barre, PA; from there she moved on to WPRI-TV in Providence, RI, and WBAL-TV in Baltimore, MD.
Greta has interviewed countless prominent newsmakers, among them President Jimmy Carter, Elizabeth Edwards, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Princess Diana. She has covered virtually every major natural disaster: hurricanes, tornadoes, fires and the 2011 earthquake that hit the Washington area, for which she won an Emmy. She has interviewed everyone from Hollywood stars to politicians, diplomats to drug dealers.
In 2012, Greta was diagnosed with lung cancer. She chronicled her personal battle in an Emmy-award-winning series in 2012, and as a survivor today is active in several organizations dedicated to fighting the disease.
Greta resides in Washington, DC, and enjoys spending time with her two wonderful children, Faith and Peter, as well as her longtime beau, Gil Willson.
Coffee and Donuts Served!
While students attend Parish School of Religion classes, we will host a monthly speaker series for parents and parishioners. All are welcome!
Topic: Beating Cancer as a Celebrity Journalist & Not Losing Your Faith Upcoming Talks to take place the same time and location on the following dates*:
February 9
March 15
April 26
*Note: On each of these dates, that Sunday evening we will host events for parish Youth in grades 6 to 12. Learn more here: stanndc.org/youth