Barbara Walsh (journalist) facts for kids

Barbara Ann Walsh, born on August 13, 1958, is an American journalist. She also writes wonderful books for children. She has worked for several newspapers, including The Eagle-Tribune and Portland Press Herald. Barbara has also taught journalism at different universities. In 1988, she won a special award called the Pulitzer Prize. She earned it for her important stories about the prison system in Massachusetts. Barbara has even traveled the world as a speaker for the U.S. Department of State.

Barbara Walsh's Career in Journalism

Barbara Walsh has had an exciting career helping people learn important facts.

Investigating the Prison System

Walsh worked with another journalist, Susan Forrest. They wrote over 175 articles for the Eagle-Tribune newspaper. Their stories were about a system that let prisoners leave jail for short times. This system was called the "furlough system." Their reporting showed problems with this system. After their stories came out, new laws were made to change it. Because of their excellent work, the Eagle-Tribune staff won a Pulitzer Prize for General News Reporting in 1988. This award is one of the highest honors for journalists.

Reporting on Social Issues

Later, Walsh moved to Florida. For seven years, she reported on courts and social services for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper. In 1996, she moved to Portland, Maine. There, she started looking into big social problems.

In 1997, she won the Batten Award for her work. In 1999, her series of stories called "A Stolen Soul" won a national award. These stories were about a woman trying to find justice for her son.

Stories About Children and Families

From 2000 to 2001, Walsh spent 15 months talking to hundreds of teenagers in Maine. She wrote a series of stories called "On the Verge." This series won the Casey Medal, a top national award for stories about children and families. The stories were praised for showing teens in a new way.

In 2003, Walsh won more awards for her series "Castaway Children: Maine's Most Vulnerable Kids." These stories showed that more help was needed for children's mental health in Maine. Her work led to new discussions and changes in laws. This series won the Anna Quindlen Award for Excellence in Journalism.

Recognized for Lifetime Achievements

In 2007, Barbara Walsh received the Yankee Quill Award. This award honors journalists for their lifetime contributions to excellent journalism. Judges said Walsh was a reporter who wrote about important public matters. They noted that her work had helped improve society. This award is considered the highest honor given by fellow journalists in New England.

Barbara Walsh's Personal Life

Barbara Walsh is married to Eric Conrad. He is also a journalist. They have two daughters named Emma and Nora. The family lives in Winthrop, Maine.

Books by Barbara Walsh

Besides her journalism, Barbara Walsh has written books.

Sammy in the Sky

Walsh's first children's book, Sammy in the Sky, came out in 2011. It is a picture book about a girl and her hound dog. The famous artist Jamie Wyeth created the pictures for the book. Publishers Weekly magazine called it "a model of good mourning."

August Gale

Walsh's second book, August Gale: A Father and Daughter's Journey into the Storm, was published in 2011. This book is non-fiction, meaning it tells a true story. It is about the fishing industry in Newfoundland. The book also tells about a terrible storm that took the lives of four members of her family. Kirkus Reviews described it as a "celebration of traditional family values."