May 7th 2015 I delivered a TED talk called “Become What You Believe” at TedxGrandRapids. The theme that day was Constant/Change, which seemed like a good opportunity to talk about a vexing cultural problem that never goes away … single ladies. What’s the deal with them?
I was nominated to speak by a member of the TEDxGrandRapids Communications Team who just happened to grow up across the street from me in Valparaiso, IN. I am eternally indebted to her for thinking of me and to everyone at TEDxGrandRapids for a truly amazing day. Once I got past the initial terror, the whole experience was mind-blowingly fun. But don’t just take my word for it…
Sampling of Viewer Responses*
- “No friggin’ WAY! That is amazeballs.”
- “Totally the Gina I know, just kinda 2.0 with a live audience.”
- “Incredible – insightful and laugh-out-loud funny at the same time.”
- “Fantastically wise, insightful, funny and inspiring!”
*Please keep in mind that all viewers quoted are basically friends of Gina so obviously they’re going to say nice things.
TEDxGrandRapids was founded in 2010 and hosts more than 750 people at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre for a full day of connection and big ideas. There was also barbecue. And very good craft beer. And doughnuts, but somehow I missed the doughnuts.
Suggested Further Reading on Spinsters:
- Gina’s novel The Spinster Diaries
- Emma by J. Austen
- The Odd Women by George Gissing
- “On Spinsters” by Briallen Hopper in the Los Angeles Review of Books
Suggested Further Reading on How To Be Single in Our Society Without Completely Losing Your Mind:
- It’s Not You by Sara Eckel
