Christ United Methodist Church's women's ministry is hosting humorist Jeanne Robertson for "A Night of Encouragement" Friday, May 3, at 8 p.m.
Known for her positive humor using stories from everyday life, Robertson is a professional speaker of 56 years who has previously spoken locally at the Tivoli Theatre.
"I will make you laugh throughout the entire show," said Robertson, who discovered her knack for public speaking during her college years, when the 6-foot-2 beauty pageant contestant was named Miss North Carolina and later Miss Congeniality in the Miss America pageant, a role that required her to make more than 500 speeches in a year.
Word spread about her speaking abilities, and Robertson continued to be invited to speak and share her unique sense of humor. Then, about 10-12 years ago, she became a "grandma gone viral," garnering more than 600,000 views on YouTube, said the now-75-year-old.
Robertson became a fixture on SiriusXM's family comedy station, started writing a monthly humor column and released several books and DVDs. She has performed sold-out shows in cities including Dallas, Tucson, Phoenix and Nashville.
Humorist Jeanne Robertson says she uses original stories from everyday life to highlight the importance of seeing things that can't be changed with a sense of humor. / Photo contributed by Jeanne RobertsonHer stories highlight the humor that surrounds us every day, showing people by example how to laugh at themselves and accept the things that cannot be changed, she said.
"I hope they leave realizing that we find what we're looking for," Robertson said, explaining that everyone can make it a habit to look at life through a lens of good humor. "I don't mean to imply that that solves problems, but it can help you get through them if you have them."
Her humor is appropriate for attendees of all ages, and Robertson assures that attendees won't be looking out the windows, avoiding eye contact because of something they hear that night.
"I try to use humor to bring people together, which is why I don't get into anything controversial," she said.
General admission tickets are available online at ChristChurchChatt.org for $35, with proceeds going toward the church's women's ministry.
Christ United Methodist Church is located at 8645 E. Brainerd Road, across from Publix.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.