Reproductive Rights Speakers

M. Joycelyn Elders

As a pediatric endocrinologist and 15th Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Elders has a deep concern for young people and teaches that education, prevention, and responsibility are the keys to a healthy life. An outspoken advocate on behalf of children, she is an expert on the prevention of child abuse, teen ...

Sara Paretsky

One of the most influential female crime writers, the award-winning Paretsky changed the world of detective fiction with her groundbreaking popular female sleuth, "V.I. Warshawski." An activist, she explores the political and literary dissent that informed her life and work in her acclaimed book, Writing in an Age of ...

Gro Harlem Brundtland

Former Prime Minister of Norway, Director-General of the World Health Organization, and Chair of the World Commission on Environment and Development, Dr. Brundtland has been a prominent force in addressing key issues such as healthcare, economic sustainability, and the challenges to the environment throughout the world. ...

Kathy Najimy

Rarely do we encounter an actress with such a remarkable range of talents and scope of emotion than that of Najimy. Seen in over 20 films such as Sister Act and The Wedding Planner, she is an AIDS activist and enthusiastic supporter of women and animal rights, and choice.

Peter & Bethany Yarrow

Peter Yarrow, of the legendary folk trio, Peter, Paul & Mary, is joined by his daughter Bethany in a presentation combining music and storytelling that is both entertaining and relevant. Intergenerational message of family, humanity and community.

David Satcher

As the 16th Surgeon General, Dr. Satcher encouraged public debate about issues including mental health, bioterrorism, sex education, AIDS, tobacco, obesity, and balancing the community healthcare system. As the force behind creating Healthy People 2010, the nation's health agenda, he works to eliminate racial disparities ...

Rachel Simmons

Simmons is the author of The New York Times bestseller Odd Girl Out, the first book to explore the phenomenon of bullying between girls - just as harmful as boys, but harder to recognize. The Founder and Director of The Girls’ Leadership Institute, she is a highly sought-after consultant to schools all over ...

Asra Nomani

The author of the critically-acclaimed Standing Alone in Mecca: An American Woman's Struggle for the Soul of Islam, she is a former Wall Street Journal correspondent, and friend of Daniel Pearl. Her character figures prominently in A Mighty Heart, the film based on the life and death of Pearl at the ...

Alexandra Cousteau

A globally recognized advocate on water quality and policy, Alexandra Cousteau continues the work of her renowned grandfather Jacques-Yves and father Philippe Cousteau. With the unique ability to draw audiences into the weighty issues of policy, politics, and action, Cousteau is dedicated to advocating the importance of ...

Henry W. Foster

Dr. Foster is a former Surgeon General Nominee, and the former Presidential Advisor on Teen Pregnancy Reduction and Youth Issues. He is widely published, and authored Make A Difference.

Gloria Feldt

Feldt is a women's rights activist and the leading author, speaker, and media commentator on reproductive rights and health from that point of view where the personal meets the political. A teen mom who rose to be the leader of the world's largest reproductive health provider and advocacy organization, she was dubbed "the ...

Carol Leifer

A trail-blazing female in the world of comedy, Leifer is not only a veteran on the standup circuit, but is also a sought after writer and producer who has worked on such shows as Saturday Night Live, Seinfeld, The Larry Sanders Show, and the Emmy Award-winning Modern Family. Whether sharing the ...

Kathleen Turner

Considered one of the premiere American actresses, Turner has broadened her starring roles to include civil liberties activist who remains passionate about changing the current social climate in America to one that respects women’s health choices. She also tells it like it is in her frank, funny, irreverent, and ...

Ruth Westheimer

Famed psychosexual therapist and media personality, Dr. Westheimer is twice as much fun in person. Her wisdom and good humor add spice to any occasion.

Ellen Goodman

Goodman's Pulitzer Prize-winning commentary appears in more than 400 newspapers. Often humorous and always perceptive, her syndicated columns keep a close eye on American culture, relationships, and social change.

Mavis Leno

Mavis Leno is currently a leader in the effort to make the restoration of women's rights a non-negotiable element of a post-Taliban Afghanistan, and has been at the forefront of ensuring that the plight of Afghan women is included in the world's reporting of the war in Afghanistan.

Stockard Channing

With two Emmy Awards plus nine nominations, an Oscar nomination, two SAG Awards, and two SAG Award nominations, Stockard Channing is one of America’s most well respected, hardest working actresses of our time. Most recently, Channing starred in her Emmy-winning role as “Abigail Bartlet” on The West Wing. ...

Alfre Woodard

Known for the challenging roles she's played on film and in television, critically acclaimed actress Alfre Woodard's work has earned her an Oscar nomination, four Emmy Award wins and 16 nominations, three SAG awards, and a Golden Globe. Woodard also enjoys philanthropic work and currently serves on the National Film ...

Cybill Shepherd

From wholesome beauty queen to captivating cover girl, from heartbreaking movie star to one of television's most beloved comediennes, and from naive sex kitten to liberated, political spokeswoman, Shepherd has imbued these roles with an indomitable spirit that had made her a female icon to an entire generation.

Susan Sarandon

Known as an Academy Award-winning actress and an activist, she has shared with the world her dramatic talents and personal convictions.