Kathryn Childers' Speeches

Kathryn speaks to diverse issues and audiences with great success.  Speeches can be tailor-made to accommodate specific scopes and lengths.

"Do It Scared!"
Inspirational Event, Fundraiser & Commencement Keynote
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis said, “Agent (Clark) Childers … you live such an interesting life.”  Kathryn is an expert at doing things most people would be scared to death to do.  After being sworn in as one of the first five female agents hired into the United States Secret Service in 1970, a patchwork of amazing careers ensued including 18 years on-air in local television, founding an organization that has given away more than 13,000 free mammograms, as well as publishing and selling more than 100,000 books.  Kathryn’s “Do It Scared” inspirational keynote wows audiences with real stories and lessons learned from carrying guns, creating television talk, giving back big, and garnering remarkable entrepreneurial publishing success.  With just the right mix of message, entertainment, and story-telling charm, Kathryn coaches audiences to face life’s challenges dead-on and arm themselves to leave life’s “shoulda, coulda, woulda’s” in the dust!

"Everyone enjoyed your presentation.  The feedback was fantastic and you really captivated the crowd!  Than you so much for your contribution to the success of our event.  Your charm, wit, experience and professionalism is something that personas of all ages can relate to and benefit from."
           Kathy Woods, Bursar
           Texas Woman’s University – Denton, Texas

Beating Breast Cancer … Don’t Just Say l’m Sorry
Perfect for breast cancer fundraisers and organizations, as well as women’s expos or conferences
After becoming tired of saying “I’m sorry” to several friends and her son’s teacher who were all diagnosed with breast cancer, Kathryn turned personal despair into making a difference.  She was instrumental in founding First Friday, a program that has provided more than 13,000 free mammograms to Texas women in need.  Due to her philanthropy on Fridays mentality, Kathryn was awarded the prestigious national Jefferson Award for her far-reaching public service.  Kathryn also lends her insight into becoming her alter ego, “Sassy the Sheriff” of the “Clowns Who Care,” a group of 22, civic-minded women who bring miles of smiles to patients at Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas.

“Through entertaining and inspiring examples, Kathryn showed us how we could significantly impact the fight against cancer even if we didn’t have cancer.  Most importantly, she helped us raise nearly $60,000 for medical equipment and oncology services – the highest total ever in our event’s history!”

Kristi Gilden-Morales, Director of Marketing - St. Joseph’s Health System – Bryan, Texas
Committee Member, Surviving & Thriving Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon (October 2008)

BLOWING A HOLE IN THE GLASS CEILING!
Perfect for women’s leadership organizations, women’s studies, or women’s history events
In addition to her “Do It Scared” message, Kathryn shares her firsthand insights with students on how far women have come since 1970 when she was issued a .357 magnum and American Express card - something women couldn’t get on their own before they were married – as one of the first five women hired as an agent into the United States Secret Service.  Gone are the days when the answer to “can you type?” dictated your professional options.  As one of the many who smashed the glass ceiling nearly 40 years ago, Kathryn enjoys seeing that today’s woman does not have to be “pale or male” anymore to have limitless opportunities.

SECRETS OF THE SERVICE:
STANDING NEXT TO JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS WITH A .357 MAGNUM IN MY PURSE!
Perfect for keynote or luncheon events especially for baby boomers, law enforcement, or students studying criminal justice, government, or law
Kathryn shattered gender barriers as one of the first five female United States Secret Service Agents hired in 1970.  Feeling like a mouse in the pocket of history during a very tumultuous time, she shares amazing tales of her work in federal law enforcement including protecting President Richard Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Indira Ghandi, Golda Mier, and the Queen of Spain.  She was dubbed the pistol-packin’ nanny caring for John F. Kennedy Jr. and Caroline Kennedy while traveling with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to Greece.  Kathryn reveals her first-hand perspective relating to the reasons for hiring women during the 60s and 70s, as well as training with men, preparing for the unexpected, and making life-altering, split second decisions.

WHAT’S IN YOUR BACKPACK?
Perfect for students or all ages or anyone preparing to enter the workforce
Kathryn coaches students to “sell their sizzle” by weaving nuggets of advice garnered during her 60 exciting years and four amazing careers into this presentation.  She shows how to leverage one’s “backpack of experience,” nail an interview, and be interested versus interesting with on-stage interviews.  Kathryn also shows students tactics to get them and their resumes off the shelf and noticed, and discusses the importance of developing a short elevator speech which includes offering three things no one would believe about themselves.

“We had one of the largest turn-outs for a speaker and Kathryn captivated them until the end of her talk.  Students loved her!  She was dynamic, entertaining, funny and insightful.  Thank you for sharing and inspiring our students to “sell their sizzle”. “
           Karolyn Bald - Senior Student Services Career Services                       Coordinator
           University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

"We were fortunate to “find” you and have you speak at our five regional FCCLA conferences earlier this year.  The students and teaches loved hearing you message and getting the advise about packing their bag as they prepare for their future.  You were able to relate to all the attendees – students and adults."
           Sharon Reddell Pierce, State Advisor
           Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, Austin, TX

“It was an inspiration to hear of your accomplishments and adventures encountered during your careers.  It was helpful for me and my peers to realize that they must capitalize on their interest and strengths even though they might be “scared” to step forward and try something new and unexpected.”
           Tori Albritton, Vice President of Membership
           Family, Career & Community Leaders of America – Region III
           Lindale High School student – Lindale, Texas

“Members were spellbound by your backpack and cam away challenged to fill their own backpacks.”
           Rachel Carrico, Vice President of Recreation
           Family, Career & Community Leaders of America – Region IV
           Trinity High School student – Trinity, Texas

IT’S MORE THAN TALK
Perfect for academic audiences studying the fields of broadcast journalism or communications!
From flying in a U.S. Navy Blue Angel FA-18 Hornet jet to riding a circus elephant, Kathryn shares her life measured in seconds gained during an 18 year stint in television.  Both behind and in front of the television cameras, she hosted her own daily morning show, as well as was marketing director and producer at Corpus Christi’s award-winning ABC affiliate, KIII-TV 3.   Kathryn reveals behind-the-scenes tidbits gathered interviewing thousands of guests as well as her conversations with celebrities during ABC’s “Take Two,” interviews that aired across the nation.  In addition, she shares tips on how to break into the field of broadcast journalism, become an anchor or talk show host, understand station politics, create buzz, and develop a “speaking voice.”

GUERRILA PUBLISHING
Perfect for writing, illustrating, and publishing audiences as well as students studying journalism, English, book creation, and publishing
At 60-years-young, Kathryn defied nay-sayers by founding RedCab Productions while creating, publishing, and selling more than 100,000 of a pair of coffee table books and children’s story book celebrating a miraculous 2004 Christmas Eve Gulf Coast Texas snow storm – an area that hadn’t seen snow in more than 100 years.  She highlights the mega marketing machine and “neighborhood team” that made the books creation, production, marketing possible.  Kathryn even hit the road on an extremely successful 5,000 mile “snowmobile” school tour aboard a classic Airstream trailer possible to promote the book and create buzz.