Actors' Equity head Brooke Shields to speak on intersection of arts, labor at Thursday's Headliners luncheon

Actor-turned-union leader Brooke Shields will speak at a National Press Club Headliners luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12.

Shields,  a model, actor, best-selling author, CEO of a new company, and now leader of the Actors Equity union, will discuss the intersection of labor and support for the arts.

Actor, model and labor leader Brooke Shields will speak at a Headliners luncheon Sept. 12. Photo credit: Elliston Lutz
Actor, model and labor leader Brooke Shields will speak at a Headliners luncheon Sept. 12. Photo credit: Elliston Lutz

The event begins at 12:30 p.m. with lunch in the ballroom. The program begins at 1 p.m. National Press Club members may purchase up to two tickets for the discounted $25 member rate. Non-member tickets cost $45. Purchase tickets online. Club members must be signed in to receive the member price.

Shields, who has appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in regional theatre and film and TV, plans to use her platform as the head of a union of stage performers and managers to advocate for the arts and more arts funding, not only in major cities, but in communities across the United States.

This year has been a big year for Shields. She was elected president of the 51,000-member Actors’ Equity Association in May. In June she launched Commence, a haircare company targeting women over 40. She also starred in one of Netflix’s 10 most watched films of 2024, "Mother of the Bride."

To submit a question in advance for the speaker, put SHIELDS on the subject line and email to [email protected]. The deadline for submitting questions in advance is 10 a.m. on the day of the event.