Main content

Outlook Weekend: Attila the Nun

Arlene Violet, the American nun who took on the mob.

Arlene Violet served as a nun for 23 years in the US state of Rhode Island. When she was there she realised that there were big problems locally: the mob ruled the streets and a Colombian drug cartel had moved in. Arlene thought it was her duty to fight the injustices she saw every day, so she decided to run for State Attorney General. She went on to become the first woman in that role, and she sent 18 top criminals to jail.

Image: rosary and bible
Credit: Don Bayley/Getty Images

Release date:

Available now

26 minutes

Podcast