Since Jackie is originally from Detroit and the movie based on her life (Against the Ropes) was famously set in Cleveland, she has incredible local gravity in both Michigan and Ohio. This template focuses on her unique ability to teach women how to thrive in male-dominated spaces, overcome intense adversity, and confidently step into leadership roles.
Email Subject Line Options
- Option 1 (For standard meetings): Keynote Proposal: “Against the Ropes” with The First Lady of Boxing, Jackie Kallen
- Option 2 (For annual galas/conferences): Guest Speaker: Jackie Kallen, “First Lady of Boxing” & Inspiration for Meg Ryan Film
Email Body Template
Subject: [Insert chosen subject line here]
Dear [Name of Event Chair / Program Director],
As you curate the upcoming speaker lineup for [Name of Organization or Specific Event, e.g., Inforum’s Fall Luncheon], finding a speaker who can deliver a high-energy keynote with raw, actionable strategies for leadership is likely at the top of your list.
I would love to propose Jackie Kallen, internationally recognized as the “First Lady of Boxing” and the inspiration behind the Paramount feature film Against the Ropes starring Meg Ryan, as a keynote speaker for your members.
As one of the first and most successful female managers in the history of professional boxing—a brutal, hyper-male-dominated industry—Jackie spent decades breaking down barriers, managing world champions, and defying the odds. Based on her book, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, her presentations bridge the grit of the boxing ring with the realities of modern business leadership.
For the [Name of Organization] audience, Jackie can tailor her signature talk, “Against the Ropes: One Woman’s Knockout Success Story,” to focus on:
- Thriving in “All-Male” Sectors: Concrete strategies for gaining authority, building confidence, and asserting leadership when you are the only woman in the room.
- Getting Back Up off the Canvas: How to build relentless resilience against setbacks, economic “hard knocks,” and career transitions.
- The Power of Asking: Overcoming the fear of rejection to negotiate masterfully for what you and your business truly deserve.
Given Jackie’s deep roots in the Midwest—including her pioneering work right here in the Detroit/Midwest region—her story deeply resonates with women striving to make an impact in local business and civic communities.
You can view a brief summary of her background and speaking presence here: [Link to Website/Media Kit/Video Reel].
Are you currently booking speakers for [Month of Event/Quarter]? If so, I would love to schedule a brief 5-minute call to see how Jackie’s message can align with your goals for this event.
Thank you for your time and for everything you do to elevate women leaders.
Warm regards,
[Your Name / Your Team’s Name]
[Your Title, e.g., Speaker Representative for Jackie Kallen]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Website Link]
💡 Customization Checklist Before Sending
- Hyper-Personalize Paragraph 1: If pitching an organization like The Ohio Women’s Alliance, change the bullet points to focus on her community advocacy and overcoming health adversity (cancer/heart stents). If pitching Inforum or WSBA, keep the focus on business negotiation and breaking glass ceilings.
- Video is King: If you have a 2-minute sizzle reel of Jackie speaking, place it right where the bracket prompts [Link to Website/Media Kit/Video Reel]. Event chairs almost never book high-profile keynotes without seeing how they command a room first.
- Reference the Local Connection: If writing to an Ohio group, you can add a quick sentence like: “As Jackie always says, the producers chose Cleveland for the movie adaptation of her life because of its incredible resilience—a spirit she loves sharing with Ohio crowds.”