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Leslie Mouton        

Breast Cancer Survivor, Award-Winning Broadcast Journalist & Creative Media Director at Morgan's Inclusion Initiative

Leslie Mouton is a breast cancer survivor and award-winning broadcast journalist. Until June of 2020, she served as an anchor at KSAT-12 News, the ABC affiliate in San Antonio, Texas. She is currently the Creative Media Director at Morgan's Wonderland Inclusion Foundation. While Mouton has covered many stories during the course of her career in journalism, perhaps the most important story she's told is her own.

In October of 2000, at the young age of 35, she discovered a lump in her left breast. It turned out to be a very aggressive form of breast cancer. She allowed cameras to follow her through every part of her battle and she shared it with viewers, from surgery and chemo to hair loss and radiation, all of it on camera, all of it made public.

To bring awareness to the disease and to offer encouragement and support to other women going through it, she decided, one night, to anchor a newscast without her wig on.

That gained national attention. She was a guest on "Good Morning America," "Weekend Today," and "Oprah." "Inside Edition" and "Primetime" featured stories about her battle and newspapers across the world wrote about it. Her personal fight became a public platform to educate all women about the importance of self-exams and early detection.

Mouton contributed her story to the book "The Breast Cancer Book of Strength and Courage." Each chapter is written by a survivor, and Mouton's chapter is the first one in the book. Proceeds go to education and research for breast cancer. PBS did a documentary on the book and Mouton’s family was a featured part of the story.

Mouton has received numerous awards including the Congressional Action for Cancer Awareness Award, Macy’s Heart and Soul Award, Headliner Award, Women in Communication Media Award, American Cancer Society Media Award and she was voted on of the 10 Most Outstanding Young Texans by the Jaycees.

Mouton is married to retired Air Force pilot Major Tony Mattox and they have one daughter.

Speech Topics

Let Go Let God

I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was only 35 years old. No history in my family, or high risk factors. Back in 2000 when I was diagnosed, it was still taboo, and people didn't talk openly about it. I changed that - by letting go of the fear of the cancer killing my news personality career, and faced it head on. I was the first to publicly anchor a newscast bald. Letting go of the fear, and letting God have it, wasn't an easy decision, but He used my cancer to change many lives. Whatever your fear, if you let God have it, you will find blessings.

It's All About Attitude

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 at the age of 35, I made the decision to not let the diagnosis define me. I decided to define the diagnosis, embrace it, and fight it publicly. That decision garnered international attention at a time when cancer was still taboo. No matter what Google says, I learned I do have control over at least one part of my diagnosis - my attitude.

Sparking Cultural Change and Inclusion for People of All Abilities

As the Creative Media Director for the nonprofit Morgan's Inclusion Initiative, I spread the message of need for a more inclusive world for individuals with disabilities. We create places where people of all abilities can play together and gain a better understanding of one another. While we have created a theme park, splash park, sporting facility, and camp - everyone has a part to play in making this world available and inclusive to individuals with disabilities.

News

San Antonio anchor Leslie Mouton parts ways with KSAT 12 after ...
MySA reached out to KSAT for more details on Mouton's departure. "I'm afraid all we have is Leslie's Facebook post. She resigned yesterday (Thursday)," KSAT 12  ...
TV anchor to keynote Baubles and Beads event - Daily Times ...
Mouton. Leslie Mouton, KSAT 12 news anchor and reporter, is also a cancer survivor. Mouton will speak at the annual Baubles and Beads luncheon and style  ...

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