Biography of Jeanne Robertson

Jeanne Robertson reached her 6’2” stature at age thirteen. Perhaps it was an indication of a future speaking career that would soar to great heights.

Professional speaking might not have been predicted when Jeanne was in the seventh grade in Graham, North Carolina, when and where she would have been voted most likely to make the basketball team and least likely to be a contestant in the Miss America Pageant. She did make the team--averaging more than thirty points per game in her junior and senior years--but as Miss North Carolina 1963 she also competed in the Miss America Pageant where she was named Miss Congeniality.

Jeanne Robertson specializes in using clean humor based on her life experiences. Robertson has been speaking professionally since 1963, and averages over a hundred presentations to corporations and associations annually. Robertson utilizes her positively funny style to illustrate how a sense of humor can be an integral part of one's strategy for success.

This Miss Congeniality winner in the Miss America Pageant uses her down-home Southern drawl to leave her audiences laughing... and thinking about her message. Jeanne Robertson is also the author of three books on humor: Humor: The Magic of Genie, Mayberry Humor Across the USA, and Don't Let the Funny Stuff Get Away. She is a recipient of the CPAE Award, the highest award given by the National Speakers Association for speaking excellence, served as President of NSA and was the first woman to receive the "Cavett," an award given annually to an individual for long-term contributions to the speaking profession.

In 1998, Toastmasters International named Robertson the recipient of its Golden Gavel Award, which is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding skills in communication and leadership. The North Carolina Press Association named Jeanne Robertson the North Carolinian of the Year 2001.

As Jeanne Robertson says, "The Meetin' Ain't Over 'til the Tall Lady Speaks!"

Most Requested Topics:

• Humor: More Than a Laughing Matter: In her positively hilarious style, 6' 2" Jeanne Robertson soars to new heights while discussing the differences between being funny and possessing a sense of humor, learning to laugh at yourself and accepting things that can't be changed. You will hold your sides and wipe tears of laughter from your eyes as Jeanne relates original stories based on her life experiences.

   

• Humor: A Strategy for Success: In this step-by-step presentation, Jeanne helps audiences learn how to develop a sense of humor, which according to her is a choice in how you go about living. She explains the dynamics of humor, challenging audiences to laugh at themselves, look for the humor in everyday situations, create their own humor and influence others to do the same, relieve stress through humor and take humor breaks. As she relates her original, funny tales, Jeanne helps people develop a refreshing new approach to humor and the magic it works in our daily lives.

   

• Here He Is...Mr. Meeting!: Pure fun with a little message! Jeanne reaches into her big bag of original material and pulls out just the right stories for each audience and situation. An old fashioned "after-dinner talk" that can be used in a variety of meeting slots. Not comedy. Hilarious humor that illustrates a point.