Melba Beals

Melba Beals speaks before audiences across the nation on a variety of topics.

What audiences say about her speeches:

Standing ovation, the Education Writers' Association:

"Melba Beals received the first standing ovation in the history of our convention. She is an inspiration."

Lisa Walker, Executive Director of EWA

Standing ovation, San Francisco State University:

"The audience was very moved by Ms. Beals' speech. Her sincerity, her ability to encourage, her sensitivity in placing her experience in a proper perspective, brings this moment in history alive. She provides details people haven't known until now. Her story-telling ability is moving and effective in capturing the audience."

Dr. Carol Langport, Department Chair of Elementary Education

Standing ovation, Northern California Christian Science Young Adult Regional Meeting:

"Melba was magnificent absolutely marvelous. Her riveting speech sparked spiritual understanding. The young people who gathered from around the world not only listened and heard, they understood her incredible message: that everything can be overcome with God."

Judith Patterson, Event Coordinator

Standing ovation, Principia College:

"What a courageous woman! She spoke so simply and directly of her experiences, keeping the entire audience riveted by the drama of her life.

"Melba Beals is the best speaker I have ever heard. She touched my heart. She is so genuine and real. She made me feel important, and that I can do something of value with my life too. Her strength, in the face of adversity, gave me the courage to try harder to right all the wrongs in our country."

Marjorie Hamlin, International Student Coordinator, Principia College

Standing ovation, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan:

"Melba Beals' story of integrating Central High is uplifting. It left the audience with a positive attitude to continue the struggle."

Eileen Raider, Director of Special Events and Outreach Programs at Wayne State

Standing ovation, College of Marin's Unity Festival:

"Melba Beals' story is compelling. She shows us we have come far but that there is still more to do. She makes you think about the importance of family tradition in developing a person who will go out into the world with a good heart."

Kathleen Kirkpatrick, Staff Development Coordinator at College of Marin

Standing Ovation, Keynote address, New York State School Board Administrators:

"Ms. Beals is above all else a professional communicator. Our audience was moved by her candid view of racism, yesterday and today. She focused on solutions that inspired."

Joseph Reeves, School Board Administrator

Standing Ovation, Keynote address Tiffin University, Toledo, Ohio:

"The audience was inspired and informed. Ms. Beals' honesty, and colorful descriptions, took us back to that moment and made us feel why today must be different."

Dr. David Shevin, Program Organizer

Standing Ovation, Keynote, Twelfth Annual Awards Ceremony, State Board of Educators, Achieving Schools Conference, Long Beach, California:

"Through their tears, thirteen hundred people smiled as they stood to honor Ms. Beals with their applause. There is no doubt her message inspired them."

Kimberly Edwards, Policy and Program Coordination Unit

Standing Ovation, The Palos Verdes Independence Day Celebration, Award Winner/Keynote, Palos Verdes Estates, California:

"Ms. Beals' speech was both heartwarming and inspiring. She was well received by the hundreds who sat in the sun beneath this 4th of July sky."

Sharon Ryan, Chair, Celebration Committee

Standing Ovation, Eastern High School, Lansing, Michigan:

"Ms. Beals infused both our students and staff with hope, optimism and a "can do" spirit.

Dotti Shonkwiler, Eastern High School, Media Specialist

Standing Ovation, National Conference of English Teachers, San Diego, California:

"Waiting more than an hour for Ms. Beals' fog-bound airplane plane was well worth it for this audience of seven thousand. Several times they were on their feet to respond to her moving message. Exhilarated and enthusiastic, they left the hall grateful they had waited."

Standing Ovation, St. Mary's College, staff and students:

"Ms. Beals was inspiring. We were taken aback by her delightful stage presence, her sense of humor and her immediate grasp of knowing exactly what we needed to hear."

Patricia Moore, Program Coordinator

Standing Ovation, Keynote, Bluffin College, Bluffin, Ohio:

"Ms. Beals' spiritual perception and willingness to speak about what gives her strength and how God is the center of her own experience was most enlightening for our students. She is a heroine with the gift of communication."

Mary Ellen Newport, Ph.D., Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs

Melcon Communications
P.O. Box 2237
Sausalito, CA 94966
Phone (415) 464-0718
Fax (415) 464-0781