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Pat Mitchell

Pat Mitchell is a lifelong advocate for women and girls, known for her work as a journalist, producer, television executive, and curator. Throughout her career, she has made the representation of women’s voices and stories, and the mentoring of women into leadership positions, the central mission of her work. In 2011, Mitchell partnered with TED Talks to co-curate TEDWomen, a global conference focused on women. She continues to serve as the editorial director of TEDWomen, which will be held this year in San Francisco on Oct. 26–28. Mitchell is the former president of CNN Productions, where she executive produced hundreds of hours of documentaries and specials that have received 35 Emmy Awards and five Peabody Awards. In 2000, she became the first woman president and chief executive of PBS. Mitchell also served as president and CEO of the Paley Center for Media and continues to serve as a senior adviser to that organization. In 2009, Mitchell was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame. The Hollywood Reporter named her one of its "Most Powerful Women in Hollywood," and she was featured in Fast Company’s special report "The League of Extraordinary Women: 60 Influencers Who Are Changing the World." Mitchell also advises foundations and corporations on issues of women’s empowerment and leadership development as well as media relations and governance. She is the chair of the Women’s Media Center and Sundance Institute boards, a founding board member of V-Day, a member of the Acumen Fund board, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Georgia, Mitchell holds bachelor's and master's degrees in English literature (watch the 2012 commencement address she gave at her alma mater). She has taught at the University of Georgia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics.

Stories by Pat Mitchell:

These young women might just save the planet

Environment

These young women might just save the planet

on

One of anthropologist Margaret Mead’s most famous quotes instructs us: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” We might amend Mead’s observation to honor a group of thoughtful, committed teenagers across the world who are standing up for their lives []

3 reasons why women are still fighting for equal healthcare

Health

3 reasons why women are still fighting for equal healthcare

on

TEDWomen co-host Pat Mitchell writes: Once again this summer, I had the privilege of moderating sessions during the Spotlight Health Aspen Institute Ideas Festival. There were some surprises in a session titled “Breakthroughs and Challenges in Women’s Health” with importance for all women, and I want to share some of that information with you. With two esteemed []

Playlist: 10 TEDWomen talks for Earth Day

Environment

Playlist: 10 TEDWomen talks for Earth Day

on

Earlier this week, I had the privilege and honor to plant trees with the daughter and granddaughter of environmentalist Wangari Maathai. In recognition of her life’s work promoting “sustainable development, democracy and peace,” Maathai received the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. She was a lifelong activist who founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977. At that []

What’s the definition of feminism? 12 talks that explain it to you

Ideas

What’s the definition of feminism? 12 talks that explain it to you

on

Earlier this month, Merriam-Webster announced that 2017’s word of the year is feminism. Searches for the word on the dictionary website spiked throughout the year, beginning in January around the Women’s March, again after Kellyanne Conway said in an interview that she didn’t consider herself a feminist, and during some of feminism’s many pop culture []

TEDWomen update: Black Lives Matter wins Sydney Peace Prize

News

TEDWomen update: Black Lives Matter wins Sydney Peace Prize

on

Cross-posted from TEDWomen curator Pat Mitchell’s blog on the Huffington Post. Last month, the Black Lives Matter movement was awarded the Sydney Peace Prize, a global prize that honors those who pursue “peace with justice.” Past honorees include South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Irish President Mary Robinson. The prize “recognizes the vital contributions of []

TEDWomen update: Diana Nyad and EverWalk Nation

News

TEDWomen update: Diana Nyad and EverWalk Nation

on

At the age of 64, Diana Nyad became the first person to make the 110-mile swim from Havana to Key West without a shark cage. The swim took her 52 hours and 54 minutes to complete, a lifetime goal she had begun dreaming of in the late 1970s. She made her first attempt in 1978 at the age of 28. Then after []

TEDWomen update: Wellesley inaugurates Dr. Paula Johnson

News

TEDWomen update: Wellesley inaugurates Dr. Paula Johnson

on

Congratulations to TEDWomen 2013 speaker Dr. Paula Johnson who, earlier this month, was sworn in as the 14th president of Wellesley College. She is the first African-American president of the institution. Dr. Johnson is a pioneer in looking at health from a woman’s perspective. Before taking the helm at Wellesley, she was the chief of []