“Don’t create a ‘pink’ TED," was one of the comments I heard in 2010 when we announced the first TEDWomen conference.
“More women should be at the 'BIG' TED” and not in a female sideshow,” was another critical observation about the idea.
Such comments almost sidelined the big idea which was that there were many more women in the world with ideas worth spreading than were getting opportunities to speak at the once-a-year TED conference.
So, with the enthusiastic support of the core women’s leadership team at TED at that time, in 2010 – June Cohen, Ronda Carnegie, Lara Stein, Kelly Stoetzel — we presented the idea of a TEDWomen conference to Chris Anderson, chief curator, and he agreed, quickly.
Host Pat Mitchell. TEDWomen 2013, SF Jazz Center, San Francisco, CA, December 5, 2013. Photo: Marla Aufmuth
In December 2010, the first TEDWomen went live in the nation’s capital with 1,100 attendees, 70-plus speakers and performers (about 10% men). Over the years, the ‘pink’ TED proved so popular that an enthusiastic and highly engaged TEDXWomen community developed around the world. Even though we moved the convening to different cities and different times of year, TEDWomen created a community that has grown year to year. In partnership with TED’s curatorial team (now led by the extraordinary Helen Walters), I’ve had the privilege of serving as the Editorial Director and co-hosting TEDWomen every year since.
Now there are more than 150 TEDTalks on TED.com that were given by women scientists, technologists, designers and architects, artists and activists, musicians and farmers, and yes, some well known women leaders, as well as some very good men.
It feels so good to know that TEDWomen has provided a platform for so many women’s stories and big ideas from all over the world, and that the TEDTalks from TEDWomen are shared and spread for free around the world through TED’s unprecedented reach on TED.com and TED’s YouTube channel. Every year, a global community of women has convened to hear these TEDTalks, to learn from the Discovery sessions, and experience the connections and conversations that are a big part of TEDWomen.
This year, we’re back LIVE December 1-3 at the La Quinta Resort in sunny Palm Springs with an outstanding program of speakers exploring the question: "What Now?”
What comes now after nearly everything about how we live and work has been altered by the realities of a global pandemic. Now, as we shape the various "resets," you'll hear from some extraordinary speakers in the fields of design, technology, science and culture.
Love to see you there!
Candace Parker is an entrepreneur, activist, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and one of the most decorated women’s basketball players of all time with two WNBA MVP Awards. The Chicago native recently left the Los Angeles Sparks to return home and play with the Chicago Sky. Lilly Singh is a multi-faceted entertainer, finding success as an actress, producer, writer and creator. Singh is a leading force in the digital world with a global audience of over 38 million across her social channels. Diana Adams (they/them) is a leading international lawyer and activist for LGBTQIA families. Diana is the founder of the Chosen Family Law Center. Emily Pilloton-Lam is a builder, educator and lifelong lover of power tools. With a background in architecture, she founded Girls Garage, a nonprofit design and construction school, to equip the next generation of girls and gender-expansive youth with the personal power and technical tools to build the world they want to see.
See more TEDWomen 2021 speakers »
Plus, participate in an expert-led Discovery Session (deep-dive workshop or experience), enjoy three big community events, experience unique exhibits and spaces and, throughout, have plenty of opportunities to connect with the TEDWomen community.
I hope to see you in Palm Springs!
- Pat
