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Jeanne White-Ginder

Jeanne White-Ginder

Keynote Speaker: AIDS Activist, Director of the Ryan White Foundation & Mother of Ryan White

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    Live Event Fee: Below $10,000
    Virtual Event Fee: Below $10,000
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Jeanne White-Ginder Biography

One week before Christmas in 1984, Jeanne White-Ginder was told that her son Ryan, a hemophiliac, had contracted AIDS from a tainted blood product. Although the doctors gave him only six months to live, Ryan’s outlook was positive and he was determined to live a relatively normal life. He wanted to stay in school and White-Ginder was determined to give her son his dream.

What seemed like a small wish turned into a nightmare when the White’s hometown of Kokomo, Indiana, frightened and uneducated on the realities of AIDS, abused the family and refused to allow Ryan to return to school. White-Ginder turned to the court system and the news wire grabbed on to the story. Ryan became a reluctant international celebrity and White-Ginder became an educator of the masses.

Snapped up as a key player in a frightening new health crisis, White-Ginder vaulted from anonymity to being a media regular. Her insight into people living with AIDS and family members affected by AIDS earned her the respect of national health figures and interviewers alike.

White-Ginder and Ryan won their initial battle for the right to go to school. The courts forced the town to allow Ryan to attend school! However, the town’s antagonism remained unmercifully alive. The abuse came to a peak when a bullet was shot through the White’s picture window. White-Ginder immediately began to look for a new home and community.

Their ticket out of Kokomo was the advance for “The Ryan White Story,” a made for TV movie based on Ryan’s struggles. The Whites took the money and moved to Cicero, Indiana, where to their relief, they were wholeheartedly welcomed. Ryan went to school, became an honor roll student, earned a driver’s license and traveled to visit Elton John and Michael Jackson, but his health was rapidly deteriorating. On Sunday, April 8, 1990, five and a half years after he was diagnosed with AIDS, Ryan White died. White-Ginder, Andrea and Elton John were by his side.

In the on-going weeks, White-Ginder received 60,000 pieces of mail. She set up shop in her basement and at Phil Donahue’s urging and generosity, hired an assistant. Together, they began answering all of those letters. As they read over the correspondence, White-Ginder realized she needed to continue Ryan’s legacy of education and compassion. White-Ginder worked on getting Ryan’s book - written by him for other children – published, and appeared at many AIDS fundraisers and benefits. In May of 1990, Senators Edward Kennedy and Orin Hatch invited her to Washington, D.C., to lobby for the “Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resource Care Act (CARE),” a bill that called for federal funding of AIDS education, research and medical care. The bill passed and is still ongoing today.

In August of 1990, White-Ginder stepped onto the lecture circuit, realizing that this was another avenue for educating young people about HIV/AIDS. She did not claim to be an eloquent speaker; she merely relayed personal triumphs and tragedies of life with Ryan. Her words continue to touch the hearts of all that will listen.

Today, she speaks across the country about her story as a mom, and seeks to educate teens and adolescents on the personal, family, and community issues related to HIV/AIDS. Her book “Weeding out the Tears: A Mother’s Story of Love, Loss and Renewal,” was published in 1997. The book is a gripping account of her life since Ryan’s death and her feelings about coping with the loss of her son, her daughter’s life, remarriage, stepchildren and emotionally charged AIDS issues. In the end, White-Ginder hopes through Ryan’s name and her efforts, she will create better understanding, acceptance and love for people with AIDS.

White-Ginder and Andrea donated Ryan’s bedroom full of memorabilia to the Indianapolis Children’s Museum and it is now proudly displayed in an exhibit called “The Power of Children,” which features the lives of three children: Anne Frank, Ruby Bridges and Ryan White, who each fought discrimination.

White-Ginder lives in Leesburg, Florida.

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Jeanne White-Ginder Videos

Gone Too Soon - Jeanne White-Ginder
Jeanne White-Ginder at West 57th Street
Jeanne White-Ginder, Activist

How do I book Jeanne White-Ginder to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Jeanne White-Ginder 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 Jeanne White-Ginder, 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 Jeanne White-Ginder or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Jeanne White-Ginder for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Jeanne White-Ginder, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Jeanne White-Ginder are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Jeanne White-Ginder, 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 Jeanne White-Ginder speak about?

Jeanne White-Ginder is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as AIDS / HIV, Influential Women, Health, Healthcare, Social Justice and Overcoming Adversity.

Where does Jeanne White-Ginder travel from?

Jeanne White-Ginder generally travels from Leesburg, FL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Jeanne White-Ginder?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Jeanne White-Ginder 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 Jeanne White-Ginder for your next private or corporate function.

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Jeanne White-Ginder is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including AIDS / HIV, Influential Women and Health. The estimated speaking fee range to book Jeanne White-Ginder for live events is Below $10,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Jeanne White-Ginder generally travels from Leesburg, FL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Heather Booth, Loretta Ross and Geena Rocero. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Jeanne White-Ginder for an upcoming event.

Jeanne White-Ginder Videos

Gone Too Soon - Jeanne White-Ginder
Jeanne White-Ginder at West 57th Street
Jeanne White-Ginder, Activist
Jeanne White Ginder at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

Jeanne White-Ginder Reviews

  • Jeanne is the sweetest person ever and her message was so touching! Lots of tears and emotion witnessed during and after her message. Thank goodness we put tissues out for everyone in advance.
    Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC - Mar 15 2023

  • Everyone was very impressed and loved Jeanne's presentation!
    Equitas Health - Feb 27 2023

  • Everyone was great to work with. I look forward to working with you again!
    Nashville CARES - Dec 02 2022

  • AAE was very accommodating and easy to work with. We had to postpone the our originally scheduled event because of the outbreak of the pandemic and they helped us reschedule to the next year and when the decision was made to hold the rescheduled event virtually, they were very helpful with that.
    SAVE, Inc. - May 17 2021

  • Thank you so much!
    Neighborhood Medical Center, Inc. - Dec 23 2019

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