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Geena Davis          

Academy Award-Winning Actress, Gender Equality Activist & Philanthropist; Founder, Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media; Author, "Dying of Politeness"

Two-time Academy Award winner Geena Davis is one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, appearing in several roles that became cultural landmarks. Early roles include her debut in "Tootsie" in 1982 and Muriel Pritchett in "The Accidental Tourist," which earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1988. She broke new ground as Thelma in "Thelma & Louise" in 1991, a performance that earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She also portrayed Dottie Hinson in "A League of Their Own" in 1992.

Throughout her career, Davis continued to take on diverse roles in both television and film. She starred in the "Stuart Little" film series, portrayed the first female president of the United States in the TV series "Commander in Chief," and had a recurring role as Dr. Nicole Herman in "Grey's Anatomy." Davis's performance in "Commander in Chief" earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Drama. Davis is also featured in Zoë Kravitz's directorial debut, "Blink Twice."

Outside of acting, Davis launched the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, a non-profit organization that works to increase the number of female characters and reduce gender stereotyping in media made for children. Davis also executive produced the documentary "This Changes Everything" in 2018, which explores gender inequality in Hollywood. Davis is also a world-class athlete (at one time the nation’s 13th-ranked archer), a member of the genius society Mensa, and the author of the 2022 memoir, "Dying of Politeness."

Over the years, Davis's contributions to film and her advocacy work have been recognized with numerous awards. In addition to her Academy Award wins and nominations, she was awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award by the Academy Awards in 2019 for her work in promoting gender equality in the entertainment industry. She also received the Women in Motion Award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016 and was honored with the Legacy Award at the Coronado Island Film Festival in 2022.

Speech Topics


Award-Winning Life: Geena’s Steps to Achieving Success

Thelma & Louise, 20 Years Later

Thelma & Louise is a cultural landmark that remains a touchstone for women around the globe. The movie struck a nerve and women of all ages feel a passionate attachment to it. From the lectern, hear Geena celebrate sisterhood, discuss what the movie meant to us then and what it means to us now --- as well as speak to why and how being cast in the movie changed Geena’s life --- and spurred her into creating a women’s empowerment non-profit and becoming a lifelong advocate for women.

Gender Equality in the Modern Media

From the lectern, hear Geena celebrate sisterhood, discuss what her movies meant to us then and what they mean to us now --- as well as speak to why and how being cast in Thelma & Louis changed Geena's life --- and spurred her into creating a women's empowerment non-profit and becoming a lifelong advocate for women.

A Conversation with Geena Davis

A model and sales clerk before getting her first film role in "Tootsie" in 1982, Davis shares her engaging personal story, taking audiences through her early years including highlights of her Oscar win for "The Accidental Tourist", her groundbreaking role in "Thelma and Louise", to her success in reaching the Olympic trials in archery for in the 2000 Olympics and her concurrent roles as actor, athlete, producer, role model and womens advocate. Serving up personal anecdotes from her fascinating life and career, Davis will enlighten and inform audiences in a Q & A session following her remarks.

Geena Takes Aim--Empowering Our Daughters and Ourselves

Quickly becoming recognized for her tireless advocacy of women and girls nearly as much as for her acting accomplishments, Geena has made it a life long mission to bring gender equality into the popular culture lexicon. At the forefront of changing female portrayals and gender stereotypes, through cutting-edge research, education, training, strategic guidance and advocacy programs, Geena's mission is to work within the entertainment industry to dramatically alter how girls and women are reflected in media.

Madam President: Making Dreams Reality

News


Kiefer Sutherland, Geena Davis, Damon Wayans and more stars ...
The fall TV schedule includes “The Exorcist” and “Lethal Weapon,” but reboots aren't the only source of nostalgia in the lineup. There are a number of actors ...
Geena Davis On Why Empowering Roles For Women Are So Important
Geena Davis has been an important voice in the push for gender equality in Hollywood for the past three decades -- and she's not slowing down any time soon. In an interview with The Guardian published on Monday, the 60-year-old discussed why gender equality on screen is so important and how her iconic feminist movie "Thelma & Louise" influenced her career and life.
Geena Davis' Two Easy Steps to Make Hollywood Less Sexist ...
This story first appeared in The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Power 100 issue. I never intended to become a data head. I could never have ...

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