TMA Connecticut for TED Talks Times Two: 2016 – 2017 Most Innovative Program for Infotainment
TMA Connecticut’s affinity groups, TMA Network of Women (NOW) and TMA NextGen, hosted the TED Talks Times Two event featuring Liza Donnelly, an award-winning cartoonist and writer for The New Yorker, and Maysoon Zayid, a professional comedian, actress, disability advocate, and writer. Both women had previously appeared on the TED stage. Donnelly’s presentation examined political cartoons throughout history and provided context for today’s political climate. Zayid interlaced humor with personal stories of overcoming her own disability while also being a Palestinian, Muslim, female comedian. Attendees universally praised the diverse programming and range of registrants, with more than one third of attendees being female. 

The event supported the chapter’s strategy of building membership by expanding beyond the restructuring community. TMA Connecticut’s event combined entertainment and humor to attract members and non-members to participate.