Sister Joan D. Chittister, O.S.B. , (born April 26, 1936) is a Benedictine nun, author and speaker. She is a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Pennsylvania, where she served as prioress for 12 years. Sister Chittister writes a web column for the National Catholic Reporter, “From Where I Stand”. Sister Chittister holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. in speech communication theory from Penn State University.