At age 32 with two young children, Judy Henderson was wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Through renewed faith, a relentless pursuit of justice, and the determination to be with her family again, Judy finally achieved her release in 2017 after spending over three decades in the Missouri prison system. She has emerged as one of the nation’s most compelling voices for criminal justice reform, redemption, and women’s rights, sharing her story in her searing memoir When the Light Finds Us.
***It is important to note that while Judy Henderson is not a practicing Catholic, her personal story contains Catholic principles and continue to inspire many.***
While incarcerated, Judy transformed herself into a dedicated activist and fearless critic of systemic abuse, leading successful campaigns for legislation recognizing battered women's syndrome as a legal defense. She also pioneered programs helping incarcerated mothers maintain bonds with their children, earning broad respect among policymakers, attorneys, and fellow inmates. She credits much of her transformation to a profound experience with Residents Encounter Christ, the Catholic prison ministry program that offers retreats to help incarcerated individuals discover God's grace and develop sustaining faith for their lives inside and beyond prison.
Entering the retreat skeptical and hardened, Judy encountered such genuine compassion, care, and love that she emerged renewed with hope: God hadn't forgotten her—He forgets no one. Regardless of our mistakes, His love and forgiveness await us all if we open our hearts to receive them.
Today, guided by God's grace, Judy carries her advocacy beyond prison walls, speaking on panels and at organizations nationwide, engaging with media, discussing clemency law with students and legal professionals, and meeting with legislators to share insights only her lived experience can provide. She serves at Catholic Charities and volunteers with organizations supporting former inmates’ reentry into society.
Though she lost decades of irreplaceable time, Judy radiates an indomitable spirit, proving daily that however broken the system, one courageous voice can still spark meaningful reform. However deep the despair, enduring faith can lead us to the light. Judy lives in Missouri, surrounded by the loving family who never lost faith in her innocence.
Selected Talks:
"Finding God Behind Bars: How Faith Sustained Me Through 36 Years" - I'll share how my childhood faith was shattered by abuse and betrayal, and how I had to rebuild my relationship with God from scratch in the most unlikely place. You'll hear about the moment I walked into that first Catholic service in Missouri, desperate for connection, and how programs like Residents Encounter Christ cracked open my heart again. I'll tell you about the nights I wrestled with God in my cell, demanding answers, and how I learned that sometimes faith isn't about having all the answers—it's about showing up anyway.
"God's Plan in Our Darkest Moments" - For years, I asked, "Why me, God?" until I realized I was asking the wrong question. I'll walk you through my journey from seeing myself as a victim of circumstance to understanding that God had been preparing me for something bigger all along. You'll hear how my mantra "Don't be bitter; be better" became more than just words—it became a spiritual discipline that transformed my heart. I'll share how serving other broken women in prison became my ministry, and how I discovered that sometimes God's greatest work happens in the places we least expect.
"Forgiveness Is the Ultimate Freedom" - Let me be honest with you: forgiveness didn't come easy. I'll tell you about the rage I felt toward my father who beat me, the assistant pastor who assaulted me, Charlie who terrorized me, and Greg who destroyed my life. But behind bars I learned that holding onto that anger was just another kind of prison. I'll share the moment I chose to forgive Marie, the woman who nearly killed me, and how that choice set me free long before any governor signed my pardon. You'll hear how forgiveness became the key that unlocked my heart.
"Praying Through Prison Walls—Especially When God Seems Silent" - I submitted clemency petitions as often as the Governor’s policy allowed, and each rejection felt like God saying no to my prayers. I'll share the dark nights when I wondered if God had forgotten me, and how I learned to find His presence even in solitary confinement. You'll hear about the empty chair my family kept for me at every holiday table and special event, and how that became a symbol of God's faithfulness even when I couldn't feel it. I'll tell you about the moment Governor Greitens walked into that visiting room, and how I recognized it as an answer to prayers I'd been whispering for decades.
"Called to Serve: Ministry from the Margins"- Prison wasn't where I planned to find my calling, but that's exactly where God met and molded me. I'll share how leading support groups for battered women, teaching other inmates to advocate for themselves, and counseling incarcerated mothers on parenting behind bars became my ministry. You'll hear about the woman who said, "Judy saved my life," and how I realized that sometimes we have to go through hell to learn how to help others find their way out. I'll tell you how my current work at Catholic Charities is just a continuation of the ministry that began in my prison cell.
