Fairygodboss Of The Week: Gretchen Carlson

Journalist and Women's Empowerment Advocate

New York, NY

FGB: Tell us about your career. How did you get to where you are now?

GC:  I had a mom who told me every day I could be whatever I wanted to be. I knew that would come with a lot of hard work. Initially, I was a very serious concert violinist as a child. But I burned out at 17. My mom got a brochure in the mail about Miss America and saw that 50 percent of the points were based on talent, so when I was studying at Stanford she called me and encouraged me to enter. I decided to give in 100 percent. I was honored to win.

While at Stanford University, I assumed I would go to law school but ended up being interested in TV so I decided to give it a try. I had a successful career in TV — from Richmond to Cincinnati to Cleveland to Dallas in local news, to CBS News in New York as a national correspondent and host of the Saturday Early Show to 11 years at Fox News.

GC: Speaking up on behalf of millions of women about sexual harassment in the workplace. Teaching my children what courage and bravery look like and starting my Gift of Courage Fund to empower women and girls.

GC:  Above! Jumping off a cliff all by myself on July 6, 2016. I had no idea what lay below. But soon I started hearing from thousands of women who also aired their stories of pain and agony and shame with me. I realized that every woman still has a story. We have a lot of work to do which is why I wrote "BE FIERCE."

FGB: What is the #1 career tip you'd like to share with other women who want to have successful careers like you?

GC: Take risks! It’s so important to not be perfect and to make mistakes.

GC: I have 4 full time jobs now — none of which are actually in the traditional workplace. I am a speaker. I am an advocate with my Gift of Courage Fund. I am an advocate on Capitol Hill working to change laws regarding the secrecy of sexual harassment claims and forced arbitration clauses. I am a mom to a 12 and 14-year-old! I plan to go back to work in TV.

GC: My mom! She told me every day I could be anything I wanted to be. Also, my maternal grandmother who died when I was only 16. She also played the violin and was the person I always went to when I just needed to talk. She "got" me and I missed her desperately when she died too early. She never got to see me become Miss America, watch my career in TV, get married or have children.

GC: Mother my two kids and my third child — my dog Bella! I love going to movies and eating popcorn! I love chardonnay! I love going home to Minnesota to show my kids how I grew up; a simpler life than NYC! I have a lot of friends and I love to socialize!

GC: Margaret Thatcher — awesome woman who became first Prime Minister of Great Britain. I believe we will see a female president of the U.S. in my lifetime!

GC: “I’m A Survivor,” by Destiny’s Child.

GC: “The Shawshank Redemption” is tops on the list. For humor — “Bridesmaids!”

GC: Aside from my “BE FIERCE,” Brene Brown inspires me!

GC: I actually don't love to shop, but ... I would buy jewelry!

GC: I would give most of it away! I believe by giving back, we become whole as people.