Shoshana Johnson
Keynote Speaker: First African American Woman POW in U.S. War History, Author of "I’m Still Standing" & Veteran Advocate
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Speaking Fee:
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Categories:Inspirational, Sports Motivation, Diversity & Inclusion, Political, Black Heritage, Security & Defense, College, Motivational, Military, Veterans, Overcoming Adversity, Social Activism, Anti-Racism, Black History Month, Influential Women, Culture, Author, Female Leadership, Women, Mental Health, Women's History Month
Shoshana Johnson Biography
Shoshana Johnson is a former U.S. Army soldier who became the first Black female prisoner of war (POW) in U.S. military history. She gained national attention during the Iraq War when she was captured by Iraqi forces in March 2003.
Johnson was born in the Republic of Panama. She later immigrated to the United States with her family and grew up in Texas. Johnson enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a cook in the 507th Maintenance Company.
On March 23, 2003, during the early stages of the Iraq War, her convoy was ambushed near Nasiriyah. Johnson was shot in both legs during the attack and subsequently captured, along with several other soldiers. She spent 22 days in captivity before being rescued by U.S. Marines on April 13, 2003. Her story highlighted the sacrifices and challenges faced by women and people of color in the military.
Following her return, Johnson received numerous honors, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Prisoner of War Medal. Her experience brought attention to the broader challenges faced by returning veterans, including physical and emotional recovery. She retired from the Army with an Honorable Discharge on December 12, 2003 and is recognized as the first black female POW in US war history.
Since leaving the military, Johnson has become an advocate for veterans' rights and has shared her story through public speaking engagements. Her journey is chronicled in her memoir, "I'm Still Standing: From Captive U.S. Soldier to Free Citizen—My Journey Home."
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Shoshana Johnson and other top speakers and celebrities.
Shoshana Johnson Speaking Topics
Johnson discusses navigating life as a female veteran in today’s world, and discusses the several hurdles and disadvantages women face in the US military.
This talk deals with Johnson's life with PTSD after her harrowing time as a POW in the Iraqi war, and how she learned how to ask for help. She also details her struggle with US Military to acknowledge her PTSD from her time in service. In this talk, she helps break the stigma and shame that surrounds PTSD and the veterans that suffer from it.
In Johnson's powerful talk, she details her time as the first-ever African-American woman POW. From her capture in Iraq, to her harrowing three week-imprisonment, up to her eventual rescue. She recounts her moving tale of survival and trauma, and the aftermath that she lives with everyday, including PTSD, adjusting to civilian life, and moving forward from the horrors she experienced.
Shoshana Johnson Videos
How do I book Shoshana Johnson to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Shoshana Johnson for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Shoshana Johnson, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Shoshana Johnson or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Shoshana Johnson for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Shoshana Johnson, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Shoshana Johnson are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Shoshana Johnson, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Shoshana Johnson speak about?
Shoshana Johnson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Inspirational, Sports Motivation, Diversity & Inclusion, Political, Black Heritage, Security & Defense, College, Motivational, Military, Veterans, Overcoming Adversity, Social Activism, Anti-Racism, Black History Month, Influential Women, Culture, Author, Female Leadership, Women, Mental Health and Women's History Month.
Where does Shoshana Johnson travel from?
Shoshana Johnson generally travels from El Paso, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Shoshana Johnson?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Shoshana Johnson for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Shoshana Johnson for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Shoshana Johnson or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Shoshana Johnson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Inspirational, Sports Motivation and Diversity & Inclusion. The estimated speaking fee range to book Shoshana Johnson for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Shoshana Johnson generally travels from El Paso, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Rocky Bleier, Gail Harris and Tom Voss. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Shoshana Johnson for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Shoshana Johnson Speaking Topics
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The Female Veteran Experience
Johnson discusses navigating life as a female veteran in today’s world, and discusses the several hurdles and disadvantages women face in the US military.
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Living in the PTSD Fog
This talk deals with Johnson's life with PTSD after her harrowing time as a POW in the Iraqi war, and how she learned how to ask for help. She also details her struggle with US Military to acknowledge her PTSD from her time in service. In this talk, she helps break the stigma and shame that surrounds PTSD and the veterans that suffer from it.
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POW'rful Woman
In Johnson's powerful talk, she details her time as the first-ever African-American woman POW. From her capture in Iraq, to her harrowing three week-imprisonment, up to her eventual rescue. She recounts her moving tale of survival and trauma, and the aftermath that she lives with everyday, including PTSD, adjusting to civilian life, and moving forward from the horrors she experienced.
VIDEO
Shoshana Johnson Videos
REVIEWS
Shoshana Johnson Reviews
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Everything went great ! I've heard nothing but good feedback from our company/teammates. They really enjoyed hearing from her, and I think her speech resonated with many.
Brown & Brown, Inc. - Nov 21 2025 -
A heartfelt thank you to you and your team for helping to organize such a great event. We've already gotten so much great feedback.
Datadog - Nov 19 2025 -
Shoshana was a fantastic speaker, and we received great feedback.
Bristol Myers Squibb - Nov 13 2025 -
UKG - Mar 04 2025
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Excellent speaker! I believe this highly attended event has had the most favorable reviews of any Veteran's event conducted over the previous 4 years. Thank you.
Avalara - Nov 25 2024
FAQS
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How do I book Shoshana Johnson to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Shoshana Johnson for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Shoshana Johnson, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Shoshana Johnson or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Shoshana Johnson for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Shoshana Johnson, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Shoshana Johnson are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Shoshana Johnson, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Shoshana Johnson speak about?
Shoshana Johnson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Inspirational, Sports Motivation, Diversity & Inclusion, Political, Black Heritage, Security & Defense, College, Motivational, Military, Veterans, Overcoming Adversity, Social Activism, Anti-Racism, Black History Month, Influential Women, Culture, Author, Female Leadership, Women, Mental Health and Women's History Month. -
Where does Shoshana Johnson travel from?
Shoshana Johnson generally travels from El Paso, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Shoshana Johnson?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Shoshana Johnson for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Shoshana Johnson for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Shoshana Johnson or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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