Sarah Hurwitz

The Power of Your Words: Finding Your Most Authentic, Influential Voice as a Woman Leader

Having served as the chief speechwriter for two of the most influential women in the world – Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama – Sarah Hurwitz has plenty of firsthand experience helping women leaders persuade and inspire with their words. 

Drawing on her experience working on a number of high-stakes, highly-regarded political speeches, Hurwitz offers insights on the challenges and opportunities women face as they seek to make their voices heard. 

Sharing real-life examples from her time in the White House and on the campaign trail, Hurwitz offers concrete tips and lessons-learned about how women can use their words to lead.

A Public Service Journey and Why a Career in Politics Can Still be Meaningful and Inspiring

After serving as chief speechwriter for Hillary Clinton during her 2008 campaign and a senior speechwriter for President Barack Obama, Sarah Hurwitz became the chief speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama, working in the White House for all eight years of the Obama Administration. 

Hurwitz offers audiences a behind-the-scenes glimpse at life on presidential campaigns and in the White House: from the high-wire act of getting last-minute speech edits into the teleprompter to the privilege of landing somewhere – anywhere – in the world in a blue and white plane with “United States of America” stamped on its side. 

Hurwitz shares the highs and lows of a life in politics, inspiring others to find their voices as leaders and pursue their own careers in public service.

A Jewish Journey in the White House

During the final years of her tenure in the White House as First Lady Michelle Obama’s chief speechwriter, Sarah Hurwitz reconnected with Judaism, exploring the wisdom of Jewish law, the power of Jewish spirituality, and the lessons of Jewish history, all of which had a profound impact on her political career. From drafting her first out of office message for Shabbat, to attending her first Jewish silent meditation retreat, to coming to understand that her role as a speechwriter is to tell the story of the stranger – those who are oppressed or forgotten – Hurwitz speaks about her Jewish journey and how her Jewish values shaped her time in the White House. And she shares insights from her new book, Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life — in Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There).

The Power of Authenticity

Even in today’s noisy, fragmented media environment, a well-told story or well-crafted speech can still break through, inspiring and persuading millions of people. Sarah Hurwitz knows this firsthand having served as chief speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama, helping her craft some of the most memorable and acclaimed speeches of our time. Mrs. Obama has a unique ability to get to the deeper truths behind any issue, powerfully articulating the values we share and calling us to rise to our highest ideals. While the rest of us may not have the same kind of platform or reach, we each have the power to influence and inspire others in our own lives, leading in our workplaces and communities through the power of our words. Offering specific advice illustrated with real-life examples from her time in the White House, Hurwitz tells audiences how to craft a compelling, authentic narrative that breaks through the noise and truly changes hearts and minds. Even in today’s noisy, fragmented media environment, a well-told story or well-crafted speech can still break through, inspiring and persuading millions of people. 

Sarah Hurwitz knows this firsthand having served as chief speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama, helping her craft some of the most memorable and acclaimed speeches of our time. Mrs. Obama has a unique ability to get to the deeper truths behind any issue, powerfully articulating the values we share and calling us to rise to our highest ideals. While the rest of us may not have the same kind of platform or reach, we each have the power to influence and inspire others in our own lives, leading in our workplaces and communities through the power of our words.

Offering specific advice illustrated with real-life examples from her time in the White House, Hurwitz tells audiences how to craft a compelling, authentic narrative that breaks through the noise and truly changes hearts and minds.