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René Syler
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...former CBS news anchor, author, medical advocate
In early January, 2007 René Syler, already reeling from her unplanned exit from The Early Show in late December, underwent a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy. That is, she had her breasts removed–even though she didn’t have cancer. |
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The reasons for this action were numerous including the fact that
a-her mother and father both had breast cancer;
b-the invasive biopsies done in previous years had left permanent scars,
c-the stress of the annual medical procedures had begun to take their toll on her psyche.
All of this was done with the support of her husband and two children. In addition, she allowed the story to be filmed and aired on The Oprah Winfrey Show later in the spring. Her purpose was to show others that there are options and while many would not chart the radical course that she took, the risk factors are part of the process in determining what individuals can do to take control of their medical destinies.
Following this, René embarked on a book tour to promote her first title, GOOD ENOUGH MOTHER: The Perfectly Imperfect Book of Parenting (Simon Spotlight Entertainment, March, 2007), which has already been optioned and may be turned into a television sitcom in the future. In the book, René discusses a variety of serious subjects, including her aforementioned medical procedure, food options, race relations and other issues affecting families. Her sincere belief is that parents do not have to be perfect to be successful in this task.
Public speaking comes easily for René as she has appeared before myriad groups (as large as 5000 persons) in the past few years, from women’s organizations, healthcare and hospital groups (i.e., Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital for 1500 Heart Center supporters) to corporate audiences (i.e., Smith Barney).
Prior to 2007, René Syler had been an anchor of CBS News' The Early Show since October 2002, when it introduced its four-anchor format.
She conducted one-on-one interviews with first lady Laura Bush, Colin Powell, and Sen. John McCain, as well as NASA's first female shuttle commander, Eileen Collins. René anchored from Punta Gorda, Fla., covering the aftermath of Hurricane Charley, and from Washington, D.C., covering the events and ceremonies of President Ronald Reagan's funeral.
Previously, she anchored the Noon and 6:00PM newscasts at KTVT, the CBS owned station in Dallas from 2000-02. Beginning in 1997, when she joined the station, she anchored the Noon and 5:00PM newscasts. She was the morning and Noon anchor at another Dallas station, WFAA-TV from 1992-97. René was the weekend anchor at WVTM-TV in Birmingham, Alabama from 1990-92 and at KOLO-TV in Reno, Nevada in 1989-90, and was a weekend reporter at KTVN-TV, also in Reno, from 1987-89.
She is an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists, and is a recipient of the 2004 Gracie Allen Award for Individual Achievement in the National Best Anchor category for her breast cancer series. Even before her own breast cancer scare, René Syler was very active in numerous breast cancer causes. Currently, she is a 2007-2008 ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The American Women in Radio and Television also awarded her Television Personality of the Year in 1997.
René Syler was born at Scott AFB, Illinois, and grew up in Sacramento, California. She graduated from California State University at Sacramento in 1987 with a degree in psychology. She is married to Buff Parham, with whom she has two children.
Suggested Speech Topics
“The Good Enough Mother Survivor Guide”
“The Many Hats Of Co-Survivorship”
Comments on Rene Syler
Date: April 13, 2009
Hi Tony,
“Everything was wonderful with Rene! She was funny, thoughtful and really has made our 2010 speaker’s job difficult. We have received nothing less than RAVE reviews from our attendees–thanks so much or your help! She really took our event to the next level.”
Aimee Tilley
Special Events & Public Relations Manager
Susan G. Komen for the Cure-Kansas City Affiliate
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Date: October 15, 2008
“Rene’ was awesome. Thank you for working with us to arrange her visit.”
Kara McBurney
Event Coordinator
Friends for an Earlier Breast Cancer Test (NC)
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Date: September 29, 2008
Thanks Tony,
“I can assure you everyone enjoyed Rene’s presentation very much! I enjoyed getting to know her a bit. There was a big glitch at breakfast when her Mac computer didn’t want to work with the hotel’s AV equipment, but eventually a VCU Technology student saved the day and got the AV working! She would have wowed them anyway, Power Point or not...
All in all, it was a great event and Rene was so very gracious with all the guests – talking, signing books and taking pictures!”
Thanks again,
Linda
Linda Tiller
Executive Director
Susan G. Komen for the Cure-Richmond Affiliate
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Date: April 5, 2008
René,
“Hope your return flight to NY was better than the one coming to KC.
The responses I have received this morning and comments I received last evening to your presentation have been very positive. Thank you.
It was indeed a pleasure to meet you. I feel I have known you for some time because you make those you meet feel so comfortable. You express so much warmth, passion and understanding for the health concerns the BHCC is addressing in our community.
Best wishes in your future business endeavors.”
Cordially,
Joyce
Joyce M. Wells
Black Health Care Coalition
Kansas City, MO
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Date: March 22, 2008
“Everyone loved René’. Thank you for being so easy to work with.”
Ilene Fox, Co-Chair
Susan G. Komen for the Cure-Florida Suncoast Affiliate
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Date: January 22, 2008
Dear Ms. Syler,
“It was a great pleasure to hear you speak at the 10th Annual African American Writer’s and Readers Literary Tea at Tappan Hill yesterday. You were witty and humorous while conveying a number of very important messages.
I wish you the very best in all your future endeavors.”
Respectfully,
Valerie J. Griffith
Adult Services Librarian
Greenburgh (NY) Public Library
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Date: December 14, 2007
Hi René,
“First of all, I’m sorry that you didn’t get my response on Sunday. To say that I’ve been having computer issues would be putting it mildly.
We all just loved spending time with you; we were so thankful to have you involved in the Conference.
We’re still collecting the attendee responses to our post-conference survey but to date I’ve heard nothing but positive feedback; we’ll send you a sample of what we hear from them after our survey period closes.
From a personal perspective, Wayne and I were commenting that we’ve never had so much fun at a run through--working with you was a pleasure.
Please don’t hesitate to call if there is anything that I can do for you. Once again, thank you so much for your time, your energy and enthusiasm.”
Andrea
Andrea Feiner
Meeting Planner
Massachusetts Conference for Women
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Date: November 16, 2007
René,
“We were thrilled to have you here...We have had such positive feedback about your appearance and because of you our event was a success.”
Ann Greenhill
Executive Director
Susan G. Komen for the Cure-Tarrant County (TX) Affiliate
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Date: July 10, 2007
Hi Tony,
“Thanks for the follow-up. René was absolutely fabulous! She is such a charm to work with and I think that all of my colleagues agree with me on that one.”
Alexea Davis
Media Relations Specialist, Engagement Marketing
Burrell Communications
Chicago, IL
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Date: July 12, 2007
Hi Tony,
“On behalf of our entire time - We are "lovin" René!!
She was an absolute delight to work with and she certainly added a "special sparkle" at the 365 Black Awards!
We look forward to working with you and Rene on future projects.”
All the best,
Pam Taylor
McDonalds Corporation
Chicago, IL
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Date: May 19, 2007
Subject: Rave reviews keep coming in!
“René - You were so amazing today!
We loved meeting you and having you a part of the day.
Thank you for sharing a part of your busy life with us. All your friends and fans in DFW will be cheering for you. I know the sky is the limit for you. You are an inspiration to so many people.
Your passion and enthusiasm for life is something to model. (Your workout plan is something I may have to catch on to. I have a high school class reunion this summer and have some major work to do!)
I hope the electricity is back on and that you have a lovely weekend.
Thanks, again!
Take care.”
Laura Van Hoosier
and everyone at Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital (TX)
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René Syler is available for speeches and appearances through the MasterMedia Speakers Bureau.
For more information on GOOD ENOUGH MOTHER, please go to www.goodenoughmother.com/default.aspx
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