Gretchen Carlson
Acclaimed Broadcast News Anchor and Journalist; Advocate against Bullying and Harrassment
SPEAKER FEE RANGE: $40,000–$80,000 [FEE NOTE]
TRAVELS FROM: New York
Journalist, author, and advocate Gretchen Carlson paved the way for #metoo with her historic 2016 sexual harassment complaint against the chairman of Fox News. Named one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World,” and author of New York Times bestsellers “Be Fierce” and “Getting Real,” Carlson is one of America’s most successful news anchors and a globally recognized advocate for women’s empowerment. She is a national celebrity spokesperson for the March of Dimes and continues to be an advocate of the arts. She is the best-selling author of Getting Real, and Be Fierce: Stop Harrassment and Take Your Power Back.
ournalist, author, and advocate Gretchen Carlson paved the way for #metoo with her historic 2016 sexual harassment complaint against the chairman of Fox News. Named one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World,” and author of New York Times bestsellers “Be Fierce” and “Getting Real,” Carlson is one of America’s most successful news anchors and a globally recognized advocate for women’s empowerment.
Carlson previously hosted “The Real Story” on Fox News, and co-hosted the number-one rated cable morning news show, “Fox and Friends," for more than seven years. Carlson’s recently announced return to television, as host and producer of A+E and Lifetime Network documentaries, breaks the barriers and blacklisting she faced after saying “enough” to harassment. Her comeback is a beacon of hope for other brave women demoted, fired, or blacklisted from their chosen careers after reporting sexual harassment.
Carlson started her television career as a political reporter in Richmond, Virginia, and then served as an anchor and reporter in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Dallas. In 2000 Carlson moved to national news as co-host and correspondent on CBS’ “The Saturday Early Show,” where she covered some of the world’s biggest stories, including the 9-11 terrorist attack from the World Trade Center, the Bush-Gore election, and Oklahoma City Bomber Tim McVeigh’s execution. She also reported and produced a 30-part series on domestic violence that won several national awards.
In 2016 Carlson became the face of workplace harassment survivors, gracing the covers of Time and Good Housekeeping magazines. Carlson’s book “Be Fierce” debuted in October 2017 and immediately joined “Getting Real” as a New York Times bestseller.
Since her harassment complaint became public, Carlson has worked fearlessly to change laws that protect predators. In December 2017, she joined a bi-partisan coalition of legislators to introduce the “Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Harassment Act,” which voids forced arbitration agreements that prevent sexual harassment survivors from getting their day in court.
Profits from her book, “Be Fierce” go to Carlson’s Gift of Courage Fund, which supports organizations empowering women and young girls. This year the fund is providing free workshops to low-income women facing gender-based discrimination and violence through the Gretchen Carlson Leadership Initiative and supporting the March of Dimes’ Gretchen Carlson Advocacy Fellows.
Carlson’s advocacy has been honored by numerous organizations, including the New York Women in Communications’ Matrix Award; the Radio Television Digital News Association’s First Amendment Leadership Award; the National Organization for Women’s 2018 Women of Power and Influence Award; and the YWCA Greater Los Angeles’ 2018 Phenomenal Champion of Change.
An honors graduate of Stanford University, Carlson was valedictorian of her high school class and studied at Oxford University in England. A violin prodigy, she performed as a soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra at age 13, and in 1989 became the first classical violinist to win the Miss America crown. Carlson is the first former Miss America to serve as Chair of the Miss America Organization.
Carlson also serves as a national Trustee for the March of Dimes; on the Board of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary in Newtown, Connecticut; and as a Trustee of the Greenwich Academy, an all-girls preparatory day school. She is an active volunteer at her church, and hosted the 2016 “Miss You Can Do It” pageant in Illinois to celebrate the achievements of girls and young women with disabilities.
Carlson is married to sports agent Casey Close. The couple lives in Greenwich with their two children.
Carlson previously hosted “The Real Story” on Fox News, and co-hosted the number-one rated cable morning news show, “Fox and Friends," for more than seven years. Carlson’s recently announced return to television, as host and producer of A+E and Lifetime Network documentaries, breaks the barriers and blacklisting she faced after saying “enough” to harassment. Her comeback is a beacon of hope for other brave women demoted, fired, or blacklisted from their chosen careers after reporting sexual harassment.
Carlson started her television career as a political reporter in Richmond, Virginia, and then served as an anchor and reporter in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Dallas. In 2000 Carlson moved to national news as co-host and correspondent on CBS’ “The Saturday Early Show,” where she covered some of the world’s biggest stories, including the 9-11 terrorist attack from the World Trade Center, the Bush-Gore election, and Oklahoma City Bomber Tim McVeigh’s execution. She also reported and produced a 30-part series on domestic violence that won several national awards.
In 2016 Carlson became the face of workplace harassment survivors, gracing the covers of Time and Good Housekeeping magazines. Carlson’s book “Be Fierce” debuted in October 2017 and immediately joined “Getting Real” as a New York Times bestseller.
Since her harassment complaint became public, Carlson has worked fearlessly to change laws that protect predators. In December 2017, she joined a bi-partisan coalition of legislators to introduce the “Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Harassment Act,” which voids forced arbitration agreements that prevent sexual harassment survivors from getting their day in court.
Profits from her book, “Be Fierce” go to Carlson’s Gift of Courage Fund, which supports organizations empowering women and young girls. This year the fund is providing free workshops to low-income women facing gender-based discrimination and violence through the Gretchen Carlson Leadership Initiative and supporting the March of Dimes’ Gretchen Carlson Advocacy Fellows.
Carlson’s advocacy has been honored by numerous organizations, including the New York Women in Communications’ Matrix Award; the Radio Television Digital News Association’s First Amendment Leadership Award; the National Organization for Women’s 2018 Women of Power and Influence Award; and the YWCA Greater Los Angeles’ 2018 Phenomenal Champion of Change.
An honors graduate of Stanford University, Carlson was valedictorian of her high school class and studied at Oxford University in England. A violin prodigy, she performed as a soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra at age 13, and in 1989 became the first classical violinist to win the Miss America crown. Carlson is the first former Miss America to serve as Chair of the Miss America Organization.
Carlson also serves as a national Trustee for the March of Dimes; on the Board of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary in Newtown, Connecticut; and as a Trustee of the Greenwich Academy, an all-girls preparatory day school. She is an active volunteer at her church, and hosted the 2016 “Miss You Can Do It” pageant in Illinois to celebrate the achievements of girls and young women with disabilities.
Carlson is married to sports agent Casey Close. The couple lives in Greenwich with their two children.
- Real Talk: Balanced News with Gretchen Carlson
Gretchen Carlson is never one to shy away from tough conversations. A thoroughly Independent journalist, Carlson delivers a thorough and fair overview of the day’s biggest stories, and shines a spotlight on both sides of the aisle and their positions on current hot-button issues. Candid and witty, Carlson brings the nation’s most-pressing conversations to life with insightful commentary and anecdotes. Whether she’s discussing bias in the media, transformative movements in American society and culture, or evaluating the future of our political party system, Carlson remains one of the smartest voices on politics and current events today. - Be Fierce - Stop Harrassment and Take Your Power Back
Gretchen Carlson has faced her fair share of criticism and backlash. But rather than letting it bring her down, Carlson has resolved time and again to “be fierce.” With this talk, she explores the challenges she has faced in her own life and the lessons she’s learned along the way, including how to be a true leader by valuing your own self-worth, how to stand up against bullying or injustice, and how to fight for what’s right. A motivational and rousing look at how to cultivate talent and own failure, Carlson guides audiences on a journey to develop the strongest and fiercest version of themselves.
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