Shannon Fisher

Shannon Fisher is an American writer, social and political commentator, and the host of two talk radio shows on the Authors on the Air Global Radio Network, The Authentic Woman and Our Lives with Shannon Fisher. She is also a frequent host of the National Press Club's Update-1 Podcast. and a notable women's rights activist.

Radio host

Fisher began her career in radio in September 2013 as a panelist on the Authors on the Air Global Radio Network's show, A Global Conversation on Domestic Violence. She went on to host A Global Conversation on Human and Sex Trafficking in February 2014 and was subsequently asked by the network's owner to do a weekly show on women's social and political issues, in addition to highlighting women with careers in the arts. In February 2017, Fisher began hosting an additional show on the network, Our Lives with Shannon Fisher, which covers a broader range of global societal issues.

Fisher is also among a small team of hosts of the National Press Club's Update-1 Podcast, which addresses current events from the perspective of the news media.

Activism Shannon Fisher standing on the Virginia Capitol steps with the other women's rights activists who were selected by Style Weekly as the 2012 Richmonders of the Year. Photo by Scott Elmquist.

Shannon Fisher, and other protesters, sitting on the steps of the Virginia Capitol during the March 3, 2012 protest that made national headlines. Photo by Scott Elmquist.Fisher participated in a demonstration on March 3, 2012 against transvaginal ultrasound legislation in the Virginia General Assembly, during which approximately 1000 protesters marched through the streets of downtown Richmond, Virginia to the steps of the Virginia Capitol building. Thirty protesters were arrested. Photographs of the event were shared worldwide, encouraging protests against similar legislation introduced in other state legislatures. The Virginia protest was featured in the film Political Bodies, which won "Best Documentary" at the Austin Film Festival in 2013.

In January 2013, Fisher was included among women's rights activists named the "2012 Richmonders of the Year" for their participation in the March 2012 protest by the staff of Richmond's Style Weekly alternative newspaper. The raised public awareness of the issues of rape, human trafficking and violence against women. An array of legislators, journalists and celebrities participated in the campaign, including U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine; comedians Roseanne Barr, Margaret Cho, Annabelle Gurwitch and Lois Bromfield; social justice advocate Sandra Fluke; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle, Ronnie Cameron, musician Courtney Love; social and political commentators Meghan McCain, Alexandria Goddard (the Steubenville blogger), Leslie Salzillo, Kimberley A. Johnson and Tanya Tatum; Editor-in-Chief Jane Pratt; writers Mandy Stadtmiller, Alison Freer, Marci Robin and Julia Allison; actors Yuri Lowenthal, Pia Glenn and Sharon Gardner; celebrity artist Tormented Sugar; writers Herman Williams, III, Pat Bertram, Michele Rolle and Toni Morrison; executive director of the Military Rape Crisis Center, Panayiota Bertzikis; and celebrity relationship experts Dr. Gilda Carle and Dr. Sheri Meyers.

The "Unite Against Rape" team also partnered with the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network for a national RAINN Day campaign to raise awareness of sexual assault on college campuses.

Fisher spoke on the grounds of the Washington Monument on November 9, 2014 at an event held by the Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation to help raise awareness of female genital mutilation.

Education Fisher is a 2002 graduate and Past Class Chair of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at The University of Virginia and received her undergraduate degree from The College of William and Mary in 1994.

Writings Fisher's articles and essays have been published in newspapers, magazines, anthologies, news sites and blogs since the 1990s. She writes about society, politics, entertainment, and pop culture.

"Why ‘Slacktivism’ Matters" is an article Fisher wrote for PBS, explaining various methods of social media activism and demonstrating its potential effectiveness in raising global awareness using the #BringBackOurGirls hashtag as an example.

Memberships Fisher is a member of the National Press Club, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Online News Association. She is an alumna of the Beta Delta chapter of Alpha Chi Omega.

Notable radio shows and podcasts ShowEpisode NPCCNN’s John King Breaks Down 2020 Election CoverageNPCNonprofit News and the Vital Role it PlaysNPCCybersecurity for JournalistsNPCCOVID-19 Worsening Threat To Global Press FreedomNPCWashington Press Corps Becoming More Digital And Specialized: Pew Research CenterNPCExploring The Growing Popularity Of Fair Trade Products: Fairtrade America And Ben & Jerry'sNPCBy Targeting Millennials, The Young Turks Dominates Online NewsNPCPolicy Makers Using Solution-Based Journalism To Effect Change: UC Berkeley Journalism for Social Change Program creator Daniel HeimpelNPCNews Coverage and Communications Strategies for Nonprofit Organizations with two-time Edward R. Murrow Award winner, Lisa Matthews.AOTAWriting Horror for the Screen: Child's Play Creator Don ManciniAOTAFormer CIA Counterterrorism Center Deputy Director Philip Mudd on CIA Black SitesAOTANew York Times Bestselling author Cecelia Ahern AOTAVanishing of the Bees: Maryam Henein on the sudden disappearance of beesAOTAEconomic & Racial Divides: Yale University Sociologist Dr. Elijah Anderson with Shannon FisherAOTAFormer Editor in Chief of Cosmopolitan Magazine and New York Times Bestselling Author Kate White AOTAThe Fight for the Four Freedoms: Harvey J. Kaye AOTAHIV on Rise among Women: Marty Bond from the Office on Women's Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesAOTAAn Interview with former Senate Majority Leaders Trent Lott and Tom Daschle about their new book, Crisis PointAOTANeurobiology of Trauma: Harvard Medical School's Dr. Jim Hopper AOTAThe Words We Live By: Constitutional Scholar Linda MonkAOTADr. Maureen Petersen Talks Diabetes AOTADangers of the Essure Device AOTAFGM – Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation President, Angela PeabodyAOTANWHW – Director of the Office on Women's Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Nancy LeeAOTABeagle Freedom Project, Shannon Keith AOTAGilda –Gram – Celebrity Relationship Expert, Dr. Gilda CarleAOTAThe World Bank's Digital Communications Manager, Christine Montgomery AOTAHow a Breast Feeding Bill Became a Law – Activist, Kate Noon AOTAA History of Women in Society – Historian, Renee Davis AOTAA Conversation about Women and Race – Moderator of The Tatum Talks, Tanya Tatum AOTAThe State of Women's Rights in America – Terry O’Neill, President of the National Organization for Women (NOW), and Karen Teegarden, President of UniteWomen.orgAOTAOvarian Cancer – Survivor and Patient Advocate, Esther WindmuellerAOTAPink Ink – Tattoo Artist, Amy BlackAOTAExploring AutismAOTAWomen in Comedy – Comedian, Lois BromfieldAOTATrue P@rn Clerk Stories and The Second City – Writer and Comedian, Ali Davis AOTAChatting or Cheating – Dr. Sheri MeyersAOTANewyorican Girl – Writer and Journalist, Julia BardenAOTAA Global Conversation on Human and Sex Trafficking