Bob Dole

One of America's Most Noted Political Leaders

Leadership & Values in the 21st Century

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Recognized as one of the most prominent political figures of our time with a distinguished record of service, Bob Dole continues to make a difference in the lives of the American people. Known for his unconventional candor and prairie wit, Dole is a rare quality, especially in Washington. As a renowned political commentator, a frequent guest on talk shows, star of two Super Bowl commercials and a bestselling author, Dole is part of the American landscape. As the Republican Presidential nominee in 1996, he offered himself to Americans as an honorable leader. His candidacy for the White House cemented his reputation as an honest, respected statesman who will long be considered one of the most powerful senators and brilliant legislators of our times. In 1997, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom as a tribute to his character and contributions to the nation.

Ronald Reagan said of Dole as a Senate Majority Leader, "His title of Leader is not just a job title, it's a description of the man." President Bush called him "a great Republican Leader, as great as any in the past." Dole is one of only 19 Americans to serve as Senate Majority Leader, and his first stint in that position in the mid-1980's won praise nationwide. According to Congressional Quarterly, Senator Dole "proved a point that badly needed proving at the time: the Senate could be led."

The American public started seeing the lighter side of Senator Dole's sense of humor with his post-election appearances on The Late Show, Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show, and The Daily Show. He is also the author of two bestselling books on political humor, Great Presidential Wit, I Wish I Was In The Book and Great Political Wit, Laughing (Almost) All the Way to the White House.

Following the attacks of September 11, Dole joined forces with President Bill Clinton to serve as Co-Chair of the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund, assisting the educational needs of the families of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United Flight 93. In 2003, he was appointed Honorary Co-Chair of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, part of President Bush's USA Freedom Corps.

As Chairman of the National World War II Memorial, Dole led the nation in honoring the heroes of his generation and helped enshrine their legacy of sacrifice for freedom. During the Second World War, he was a platoon leader in the legendary Tenth Mountain Division in Italy. In 1945, he was gravely wounded on the battlefield and was twice decorated for heroic achievement. His decorations include two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster. He is married to The Honorable Elizabeth Hanford Dole, current Senator from North Carolina.

Senator Dole's bestselling World War II memoir, 2006's One Soldier's Story, chronicles his harrowing experience on and off the battlefield and the lessons learned through his struggle to survive. One Soldier's Story is a tribute to those who defended liberty in its darkest hour and his gift to future generations, a destined-to-be classic about overcoming adversity and making the most out of life.

Senator Dole's effectiveness as a consensus-builder and his commitment to deficit reduction and economic growth have earned him the admiration of Republicans, Independents and Democrats alike. On issue after issue, Senator Dole is a statesman who has made his mark. As a distinguished national leader, respected senior statesman and brilliant legislator with international acclaim, Bob Dole offers great insight into the key values it takes to be a leader today. Filled with first-hand accounts and humorous anecdotes, his presentations look at the challenges we face as a nation and as a world in the midst of unprecedented political and economic change.

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GAYLE LEMMON at TEDxWOMEN

"If you're going to talk about jobs, then you have to talk about entrepreneurs," says Gayle Tzemach Lemmon. "And if you're talking about entrepreneurs in conflict and post-conflict settings, then you must talk about women." Lemmon is the author of the New York Times bestselling book The Dressmaker of Khair Khana and a Contributing Editor-at-Large for Newsweek and The Daily Beast. She has devoted her life to shedding light on the resiliency of female entrepreneurs, and their remarkable power to reshape local economies. By recognizing and investing in these female breadwinners, Lemmon says, we can help grow economies of all development levels around the world.