Remembering Transformative Leaders: Wendell Berry, Gloria Steinem, Dolly Parton
Center for Process Studies
35 views
Program: Process Explorations
Title: Remembering Transformative Leaders: Wendell Berry, Gloria Steinem, Dolly Parton
Presenters: Carol Frances Johnston, Lynn De Jonghe, and May Hartness
SUMMARY
The fall series of Process Explorations explores Compassion, Creativity, and Global Citizenship. At a time when many parts of the world are in political, economic, ecological, and ethical turmoil, what might process thought and ways of life contribute to the deepening of compassion and creativity and to practices of global citizenship? The session on September 22 explores this question through the lives of three persons who contributed in different ways to the quality of life in the United States, for human communities and the entire ecosphere.
The three figures include Wendell Berry, whose return to simplified life, farming, and writing in his native Kentucky has inspired individuals and communities in ecological living. Carol Johnston, a theologian and activist focused on eco-justice, regenerative economics, and food movements, will reflect on Berry's life, drawing from her longtime friendship. Speaking to Gloria Steinem will be Lynn De Jonghe, a feminist herself and an educator, author, and poet. Finally, Dolly Parton's life and work will be excavated by May Hartness, recognizing Parton's generosity of spirit, extraordinary musical talent, and unforgettable wit. May is the Contextual Education Officer at the Boston University School of Theology and a Master of Fine Arts student at Emerson College.
These presenters will uncover insights that can expand human understandings and practices of compassion and creativity and enhance citizenship in the world.
BIOGRAPHIES
The Rev. Dr. Carol Frances Johnston did her doctoral work with John Cobb on a theological history of economics. She taught ecojustice theology and other topics at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis for 29 years. She was also involved in the Indianapolis community with interfaith and civic work, including the local food movement. Carol has written on Whitehead and global economics, regenerative agriculture vs. industrial, faith and wealth, and the Bible as "green" from start to finish. She is working on a book on stewardship of the creation from a biblical perspective, and what is unique about the human vocation of stewardship in-and-with other creatures for the mutual flourishing of all life together.
Lynn Sargent De Jonghe served as the founding Head of East Bay Sierra School, which merged to form Prospect Sierra School, and become one of the preeminent schools in the Bay Area. Prior to this, Lynn spent fifteen years in public education administering federal funds to innovative programs, advocating for project learning as an alternative to textbooks, and pushing for integration in Massachusetts. She received a BA from Harvard University and an MS in Library Science from Simmons College before completing her PhD in Education at Cornell University. Throughout her career, she has pushed for challenging programs that encourage all students to pursue learning in depth and to use problem solving skills, collaborative learning, and exploration of values in an integrated curriculum. In 2022 Lynn's book, Starting with Whitehead: Raising Children to Thrive in Treacherous Times, was published by Rowman & Littlefield. Her most recent book, Living Whitehead's Vision: The Adventure of Adult Learning, was published by Process Century Press in 2026.
May Hartness is a Tennessean who's grateful to Massachusetts for allowing her to take up residence. After earning her BA from Lipscomb University's College of Leadership and Public Service in Nashville ('21), May moved north in pursuit of a land with less humidity and her master's degree in theological studies. What she found when she arrived at the Boston University School of Theology (STH) was not only an opportunity to engage the entanglement between theological scholarship and the literary imagination, but a community that encouraged her to do so. After graduating ('24), May wanted to contribute a similar support to this community; she now serves as the STH Contextual Education Officer and has the privilege of working with students discerning questions of vocation. Not quite ready to give up her student title, May is also in her second year of the Master of Fine Arts program at Emerson College where she studies creative nonfiction writing, volunteers as a reader for Ploughshares journal, and serves as a teaching assistant for the Emerson Prison Initiative.
___________________________________
Event Recording Date: September 22nd, 2026
Process Explorations is a weekly gathering to engage in conversations that matter with fascinating speakers across a range of ideas and interests. You can find out more at https://ctr4process.org/process-explo.... If you enjoy this content, please consider supporting the Center for Process Studies by making a donation at https://ctr4process.org/donate/.
Remembering Transformative Leaders: Wendell Berry, Gloria Steinem, Dolly Parton
Center for Process Studies
35 views
Program: Process Explorations
Title: Remembering Transformative Leaders: Wendell Berry, Gloria Steinem, Dolly Parton
Presenters: Carol Frances Johnston, Lynn De Jonghe, and May Hartness
SUMMARY
The fall series of Process Explorations explores Compassion, Creativity, and Global Citizenship. At a time when many parts of the world are in political, economic, ecological, and ethical turmoil, what might process thought and ways of life contribute to the deepening of compassion and creativity and to practices of global citizenship? The session on September 22 explores this question through the lives of three persons who contributed in different ways to the quality of life in the United States, for human communities and the entire ecosphere.
The three figures include Wendell Berry, whose return to simplified life, farming, and writing in his native Kentucky has inspired individuals and communities in ecological living. Carol Johnston, a theologian and activist focused on eco-justice, regenerative economics, and food movements, will reflect on Berry's life, drawing from her longtime friendship. Speaking to Gloria Steinem will be Lynn De Jonghe, a feminist herself and an educator, author, and poet. Finally, Dolly Parton's life and work will be excavated by May Hartness, recognizing Parton's generosity of spirit, extraordinary musical talent, and unforgettable wit. May is the Contextual Education Officer at the Boston University School of Theology and a Master of Fine Arts student at Emerson College.
These presenters will uncover insights that can expand human understandings and practices of compassion and creativity and enhance citizenship in the world.
BIOGRAPHIES
The Rev. Dr. Carol Frances Johnston did her doctoral work with John Cobb on a theological history of economics. She taught ecojustice theology and other topics at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis for 29 years. She was also involved in the Indianapolis community with interfaith and civic work, including the local food movement. Carol has written on Whitehead and global economics, regenerative agriculture vs. industrial, faith and wealth, and the Bible as "green" from start to finish. She is working on a book on stewardship of the creation from a biblical perspective, and what is unique about the human vocation of stewardship in-and-with other creatures for the mutual flourishing of all life together.
Lynn Sargent De Jonghe served as the founding Head of East Bay Sierra School, which merged to form Prospect Sierra School, and become one of the preeminent schools in the Bay Area. Prior to this, Lynn spent fifteen years in public education administering federal funds to innovative programs, advocating for project learning as an alternative to textbooks, and pushing for integration in Massachusetts. She received a BA from Harvard University and an MS in Library Science from Simmons College before completing her PhD in Education at Cornell University. Throughout her career, she has pushed for challenging programs that encourage all students to pursue learning in depth and to use problem solving skills, collaborative learning, and exploration of values in an integrated curriculum. In 2022 Lynn's book, Starting with Whitehead: Raising Children to Thrive in Treacherous Times, was published by Rowman & Littlefield. Her most recent book, Living Whitehead's Vision: The Adventure of Adult Learning, was published by Process Century Press in 2026.
May Hartness is a Tennessean who's grateful to Massachusetts for allowing her to take up residence. After earning her BA from Lipscomb University's College of Leadership and Public Service in Nashville ('21), May moved north in pursuit of a land with less humidity and her master's degree in theological studies. What she found when she arrived at the Boston University School of Theology (STH) was not only an opportunity to engage the entanglement between theological scholarship and the literary imagination, but a community that encouraged her to do so. After graduating ('24), May wanted to contribute a similar support to this community; she now serves as the STH Contextual Education Officer and has the privilege of working with students discerning questions of vocation. Not quite ready to give up her student title, May is also in her second year of the Master of Fine Arts program at Emerson College where she studies creative nonfiction writing, volunteers as a reader for Ploughshares journal, and serves as a teaching assistant for the Emerson Prison Initiative.
___________________________________
Event Recording Date: September 22nd, 2026
Process Explorations is a weekly gathering to engage in conversations that matter with fascinating speakers across a range of ideas and interests. You can find out more at https://ctr4process.org/process-explo.... If you enjoy this content, please consider supporting the Center for Process Studies by making a donation at https://ctr4process.org/donate/.