Gail’s Speech Menu

An impassioned, inspirational, and witty speaker, Gail often customizes her presentations for each audience, ranging from inspiring keynotes to candid, moderated discussions. Connecting with audience members, she can provide breakout discussions following her main presentation.

For 2016, Gail offers two new speeches, in addition to her regular selection of topics:

In 2016, she offers a compelling new keynote:

DARE TO LEAD LIKE A WOMAN!

Who says geeky white males have all the great ideas for digital startups? This lively speech showcases successful women corporate innovators and female entrepreneurs.  Her inspiring stories show how they use Passion, Persistence, Purse Strings, and the Power of the Tribe to launch and scale multi-million-dollar companies.

Target Demographic: Professional women’s groups, book festivals, executive leadership conferences, women’s corporate affinity groups, and town halls (Gail’s speech has been received enthusiastically in over 50 venues throughout 2015 ).

“We have received such positive feedback on your presentation and your energy, insight and words of wisdom was an inspiration to all who attended.”
–Johanna Bond, Vice-President, Middlesex Chamber’s 2015 Women in Business Leadership event

Please contact American Program Bureau, Heather Colburn: [email protected]

In the last year I have performed my one-woman show over 60 times and received standing ovations:

DARING: My Passages 

It inspires women to take the dare and follow their passion, even if they fall on their face the first time, but get up one more time than they fall down–that’s the path to self-esteem, success, and joy.

“Gail Sheehy is one of the best and most engaging speakers I have had the privilege of hearing at the Library!  She is an incredible woman and all said they could have listened to her for another hour!!! Her presentation was a show stopper.”
–Jocelyn Glatthorn, Community Engagement Librarian, New Canaan Library

Reviews:

“You were beyond an engaging speaker – you were a mensch!! The outpouring from the audience which numbered close to 150 (a huge turnout in ABQ) has been nothing short of spectacular in their reviews of you and your talk.”

–Phyllis Wolf, Arts & Culture Program Director, JCC of Greater Albuquerque

“Gail was excellent. We were thrilled to hear her captivating stories. One could hear a pin drop.”

–Helena Shayer, Executive Administrator, Nassau Region of Hadassah

“You have been one of the highlights of my experience with the JBC, Gail!  I am so glad you are sharing your story with our Network!”
–Joyce Lit, JBC Network Associate

“Gail went beyond the typical book presentation by providing video and dramatic readings.  This was wonderful!”
–Audience member, JCC of Greater Albuquerque

“Sheehy is a captivating, compelling speaker and person – outstanding!”
–Audience member, JCC of Boca Raton

Secrets of Daring Women

Target Demographic: Women 20-80

A world-renowned writer, Gail Sheehy is known for changing the way millions of women have looked at their lives. Now offering her valuable wisdom and expertise to college students and professional women’s audiences, she is helping to usher in a new era of empowered, fearless, and successful females.

Drawing from personal interviews with such influential women as Arianna Huffington and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Gail probes audiences to think about when they have been most daring in life, asserting that such moments—when one looks fear or apprehension straight in the eye—are when one becomes the most alive. She shares stories of everyday women in their 20s-70s who are discovering a new self in their second adulthood. She also shares often amusing stories about determined Millennials who have dared to challenge parental and societal expectations, and mighty girls who are already rehearsing dares in their teens to prepare for changing the world later. Gail presents tangible tools for cultivating innovative ideas and building a meaningful life.

Passages In Caregiving

Target Demographic: Sandwich generation, medical professionals, hospital administrators, social workers, senior housing providers, Alzheimer’s groups

The population of caregivers is exploding. They come in all ages, struggle to cope with the needs of ill loved ones, and attempt to navigate their way through the often complicated maze of our healthcare system—all while trying to maintaining careers and personal lives. Having acted as her husband’s caregiver for 17 years, Gail Sheehy—who has chronicled every major cultural turning point for 20th-century Americans—understands firsthand the fears and frustrations of caregiving. In this fascinating and empowering speech based on her best-selling book, Passages in Caregiving, Gail draws from personal experience and shows inspiring videos of caregivers she interviewed as AARP’s Caregiving Ambassador. Audiences will leave with proven strategies for managing what Gail identifies as the eight crucial stages of the caregiving journey.

Intimately familiar with the emotional and financial burdens caregivers face, she also candidly discusses such difficult topics as how to involve siblings and friends in a circle of care, how to turn your doctor into your medical quarterback, and how to use the magic code words that get fast action from health professionals. You will learn how to engage a loved one—even one with Alzheimer’s—in the pleasurable and purposeful project of creating a picture-and-audio legacy online. With unique insights, she presents down-to-earth solutions to help turn stressful, life-altering situations into special moments from which everyone can benefit.

RECOMMENDATION from  Robert Stein, President and CEO of American Society on Aging:  Please accept our thanks and deep appreciation for your willingness to serve as a presenter of ‘Passages in Caregiving’ during the 2011 Aging in America Conference. I was delighted to hear glowing reports about your overflowing, well-received Critical Issue in Aging session. The excellent program, as well as your one-on-one attention to attendees after the event, was much appreciated.

Seasoned Women Pursuing the Passionate Life

Target Demographic: Women 45+

One of her most popular presentations, this talk is based on her book Sex and the Seasoned Woman. Her most groundbreaking work since Passages and The Silent Passage, Gail describes a hidden cultural phenomenon – a surge of vitality in women’s romantic lives and creative passions after fifty. Boomer-generation women in midlife are open as never before to sex, love, dating, new dreams, exploring spirituality, and revitalizing their marriages. As life spans grow longer and societal constraints loosen, seasoned women embrace their Second Adulthood as a passage to reawakening.

An anecdote-filled compendium of women living what Sheehy calls ‘fully and passionately’…carr[ies] an optimistic message: Despite age, menopause and wrinkles, women can continue to enjoy sex. — The New York Times

To schedule Gail Sheehy for a speaking engagement, please contact:

American Program Bureau, Inc.
c/o Brenda Kane
313 Washington Street, Suite 225
Newton, MA 02458 617.614.1607
[email protected]
(Non-Exclusive)