The University of South Alabama’s USA by the Bay series will feature distinguished writer and editor Judy Culbreth ’72 on Oct. 29 as she shares the story of a career that began on the South Alabama campus and grew into a nationally recognized path in editorial leadership, media and advocacy.

“How Boldness Begins: A Journey in Editorial Leadership with Judy Culbreth ’72” is scheduled for 4:30-6:30 p.m. at 111 St. James St. in Fairhope. The event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow the program and seating is limited.

Culbreth will discuss the courage to take bold steps, the power of finding one’s voice and the unexpected opportunities that can shape a life and career. Her story is one of initiative, persistence and the willingness to seize an opportunity when it arrives.

As incoming editor-in-chief of South’s yearbook, The Retrospect, Culbreth learned that the Student Government Association planned to cut its funding. She ran for senate and successfully fought to save the publication, earning Outstanding Senator honors.

Two years later, her campus involvement helped her win Glamour Magazine’s Top Ten College Girls contest, an opportunity she used to launch her career in New York.

There, Culbreth worked for Seventeen, Ladies’ Home Journal, Redbook and Working Mother. At Working Mother, she became a keynote speaker and TODAY Show Work-Life Contributing Correspondent, advocating for millions of American mothers. She also helped found Take Our Daughters to Work Day.

Culbreth returned home full-time in 2005 and went on to serve for more than 20 years as an editor and consultant for Mobile Bay Magazine.

The USA by the Bay event is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending can RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/4yjjen6k. Questions may be directed to development@southalabama.edu or (251) 460-7032.