Don't "GO" Without Leaving a Story: Ellouise Schoettler at TEDxBethesdaWomen

Ellouise Schoettler knows that your story is your "one true legacy" and wants to make sure you tell yours before it's too late. It's important to be remembered, she says, and there's no better way to do that than through telling your story. Plus, she warns, "If you wait for others to tell your story, they might get it wrong!" 30 years ago, Ellouise turned to Genealogy to learn about her ancestors but quickly bored of begats and begats. Where were the stories? That question launched a career. Ellouise is now a nationally known storyteller, Maryland cable show host and producer of a local storytelling series. Her "Flesh on Old Bones" workshop helps participants turn personal history into compelling stories others want to hear. www.ellouiseschoettler.com

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)