Gretchen Carlson Inspires Sole Sisters to Give the 'Gift of Courage' at 12th Annual Luncheon

The Greenwich United Way women's initiative, Sole Sisters, held its 12th Annual Luncheon at Greenwich Country Club this week on Tuesday, April 25. Gretchen Carlson was invited to keynote the event and gave an inspirational speech which detailed her personal and professional experiences dealing with body image as a child and sexual harassment in the workplace as an adult. Carlson also explained that standing up to adversity has given her the platform to help others and that courage is contagious.

In reference to the outpouring of stories and thousands of personal experiences of workplace sexual harassment she received after filing a sexual harassment suit against FOX News, Gretchen quoted a recent analysis from the writer working with her on her new book 'Be Fierce' to be released later this year. "All these ruined lives Gretchen, it really has been a shock to me. Its these women who really love their jobs, their dreams have come true, and because of some random jerk it is all taken away. They all say hearing your story woke them up like out of some sort of stupor. They were outraged on your behalf and exhilarated by your courage. It was as if your achievement was their achievement too". Carlson explained that this analysts was her emotional tipping-point and reason why everyone should care about this issue. "We can all imagine our own lives, our dreams, our daughters lives, our granddaughters lives, our nieces lives, having ambition and a dream and suddenly losing it for no real reason,” said Carlson.

Carlson went on to talk about the importance of giving back and being courageous in that aspect by supporting important causes. She listed her latest missions to help others, tasks that represent the Sole Sisters motto of "women stepping up to help others step forward" and encouraged all to join her "Be Fierce" movement. "Writing my book to help others be empowered and stand up to anything holding them back, making a documentary on the issue of sexual harassment, going on a speaking tour, going to college campuses to talk to young women and men about what they might face in the workplace and sexual assault on college campuses, going to Capitol Hill to meet with members of the House and Senate to work together to change laws that are keeping issues like discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace a secret." Carlson concluded by saying that giving the "Gift of Courage", also the name of her Foundation, starts by helping others or oneself to overcome hardships. She explained that giving back not only helps those that do become better people but also makes them more whole. As a thank you for being this year’s Luncheon Keynote the Greenwich United Way has made a donation in Gretchen’s name to the Gift of Courage Fund.

A special tribute preceded Carlson's keynote with Greenwich United Way honoring Jill Weiner and Jan Marchand as the newest Lifetime Sole Sisters. "The Greenwich United Way would like to honor and celebrate two Sole Sisters who have been an inspiration for many, many years" said Greenwich United Way Board Chair, Karen Keegan. She continued, "Jill has been a thought leader in strategic Sole Sisters initiatives and a spokesperson for human service needs". Weiner was introduced to Greenwich United Way when a friend invited her to volunteer on the Luncheon committee eight years ago. "I continue to be inspired by this groups dedication to learn about the issues facing our community and to step up to help. Working with the Sole Sisters has been meaningful, fun and rewarding, I feel so much more connected and knowledgeable about the community in which I live due to the work of Sole Sisters and Greenwich United Way. Being a Sole Sister I've met fabulous women who otherwise our paths would never have crossed. My hope is that these friendships will last a lifetime too."

Keegan presented a gift to Weiner on behalf of the Greenwich United Way and introduced Marchand. "Jan Marchand has been a Sole Sister since the beginning of the initiative more than 10 years ago. She is currently the longest tenured Luncheon committee volunteer, and having held virtually every committee position always making our lunch so special, she is now our dearly beloved scribe. The voice of Sole Sisters, personally representing and connecting us to all the hard-working volunteers and generous donors that make our luncheon possible". Marchand expressed her admiration for Greenwich United Way and the organization's work to identify and meet human service needs in the community. "There are many ways to help... and in so doing we will be stepping up to help others step forward".

Each year a vendor boutique curated by the Luncheon committee kicks off the event at 10:00 a.m. with an assortment of accessories, gifts and clothing. Event sponsors included; TD Bank, Acxiom Corporation, Deutsch Family Wine and Spirits, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices-New England Properties, Saks Fifth Avenue 10022-SHOE and Greenwich Magazine - Moffly Media. To pre-order Gretchen Carlson's new book "Be Fierce" go to www.givingtons.com/befierce. As a special offer to our Luncheon guests, each book is not only being offered at a discounted price, but will also be personally autographed by Gretchen. A $2 donation from each sale will go to her fund to empower women and girls "Gift of Courage". All books will be shipped on Sept 26th free of charge.

Each year Sole Sisters select an issue or area of focus to undertake and support. This year, funds raised by the Sole Sisters will support the Greenwich United Way's leadership efforts in supporting community solutions in the areas of education, financial stability and health. For more information please visit Greenwich United Way online (greenwichunitedway.org) or call (203) 869-2221. Greenwich United Way Sole Sisters welcomes fresh ideas and energy and works towards providing a stimulating experience.

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About Gretchen Carlson

Gretchen Carlson is one of the nation’s most successful and recognized news anchors and a tireless advocate for workplace equality and the empowerment of women. She most recently hosted “The Real Story” on Fox News for three years, and prior to that co-hosted the #1 rated cable morning news show, “Fox and Friends," for more than seven years. Carlson started her television career in Richmond, Virginia, as a political reporter, and later served as an anchor and reporter in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Dallas. She moved to the national scene as the co-host of “The Saturday Early Show” on CBS in 2000 where she also served as a CBS News correspondent covering the G-8 Summit in Genoa, Italy, 9-11 from the World Trade Center, the Bush-Gore election, and many other national and international stories. She reported and produced a 30-part series on domestic violence that won several national awards. In 2015, Carlson’s first book, Getting Real, became a national best-seller. In January 2017, Carlson was tapped as a columnist for TIME magazine’s online Motto newsletter, focusing on women and empowerment issues.

About The Greenwich United Way Sole Sisters

The Greenwich United Way Sole Sisters is a woman's initiative that raises money to serve a specific unmet human service need in the community. In the past, those services have supported children and youth, individuals in crisis, families, and a general increased demand for basic human services in Greenwich.

2017 Luncheon Co-Chairs

Jaime Eisenberg & Diane Viton

2017 Luncheon Committee Leaders

Sara Allard, Travis Azous, Hillary Grogan, Kimberly Johnson, Karen Keegan, Cricket Lockhart, Jan Marchand, Jean Moore, Sarah Muir, Maria Murphy, Courtney Weil, Jill Weiner

Lifetime Sole Sisters

Maxine K. Armstrong, Philippa Whalen Burke, Patricia Burns, Keri Cameron, Amy Carbone, Laura Cunningham, Diane Darst*, Amanda Davis, Karen Keegan, Robbie Kestnbaum, Leslie Lee, Cricket Lockhart, Lisa Lori, Giovanna Miller, Kimberly Miller, Anne Sherrerd, Victoria Thorman, Susan Weis, Carol Winklevoss, Susan Wohlforth, Allison Wolowitz. *deceased

About Greenwich United Way

The Greenwich United Way shares a name with approximately 1,400 other similar organizations across the nation, although the Greenwich, Connecticut division is a privately incorporated, locally governed, nonprofit agency. As a volunteer driven organization, the Greenwich United Way exists to help identify and address the human service needs specific to its local community and to create and affect meaningful solutions. Through various fundraising efforts, the organization is able to directly allocate the funds necessary to accomplish this goal. The Greenwich United Way also invests in and conducts collaborative efforts to address broad based community needs with partnering nonprofit agencies.

Photo credit: Elaine Ubina, Fairfield County Look

(Left to Right Top) Hillary Grogan, Jean Moore, Jill Weiner, Diane Viton, David Rabin, Gretchen Carlson, Jaime Eisenberg, Travis Azouz, Jan Marchand

(Left to Right Bottom) Sarah Muir, Robbie Kestnbaum,Karen Keegan, Cricket Lockhart, Courtney Weil, Maria Murphy