Patricia Ireland

One of Vanity Fair's Most Influential Women in America in 1998, Ireland is an upbeat and motivating speaker who captivates her audience, challenges them to find their passion and motivates them to get involved in the issues of the day.

Ireland's commitment to bettering the lives of women and girls, ending racism, and equality for all people means unique possibilities for those looking for a well-known, dynamic speaker. As the longest-serving president of the National Organization for Women (1991-2001), Ireland directed countrywide programs on equal opportunity, including initiating the Women-Friendly Workplace Campaign, a national, proactive project aimed at stopping sexual harassment and other workplace abuses through public education. Widely recognized as a key player in improving social and economic conditions for women in the United States and around the world, Ireland is adept at helping people recognize the connections among women’s rights, civil rights, disability rights and LGBTQ+ rights.

Ireland has had a continuous presence in media outlets that shape public opinion. She has discussed childcare on ABC's Nightline, Supreme Court nominees on PBS's Jim Lehrer News Hour, the impact of the women’s vote on NBC’s Meet the Press, and women as policy-makers on CNN's Larry King Live. She frequently appears in the nation's most widely-read newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today. She has been the subject of numerous feature stories in publications ranging from The New York Times Sunday Magazine to People.

Ireland’s 1996 book, What Women Want, has had critical and popular success and is used in history and women’s studies courses. Another publication of hers is "Is Privatizing Social Security Good for Women?"