1st Evening of Comedy

Geri Jewell Known to millions as "Cousin Geri", Geri Jewell has risen to become a well-recognized actress and disabilities advocate. Geri started her acting career as the personal choice of famed producer Norman Lear for her role as Cousin Geri on the ground-breaking NBC sitcom, "The Facts of Life". With this role she became the first person with a visible disability to become a regular performer on a national television show. During her run on the show she broke important new ground by addressing issues of disability awareness.

Geri was also personally selected to be part of the Emmy winning HBO series, "Deadwood" where she became qualified to be nominated for an individual Emmy for her portrayal of "Jewell". She is also a re-occurring character on, "Young and the Restless" and was recently featured on "Strong Medicine". If holding three roles at one time wasn't enough, Geri just made her film debut in an independent feature that was recently shown at the Tribecca and Fort Lauderdale Film Festivals.

Geri is not only an exceptional actress and comedienne, but is internationally recognized as a powerful and motivational speaker and trainer. She is famous for her uncanny ability to captivate the hearts of audiences by using humor to facilitate attitude changes. Geri brings to her presentations personal experience of having her behavior and actions misunderstood because of her cerebral palsy. By sharing her disability as her greatest blessing, and revealing insights about the world, Geri turns the focus from disabilities to a true celebration of ability, resulting in an inspiring, empowering and healing experience.

Most recently, Geri was honored by the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, DC with their highest honor, The Victory award.

"You are a tremendously bright, witty and endearing person, both on stage and off. Your speech was one of the true highlights of our conference: at the same time hilarious, moving, inspirational, and thought- provoking. I admire your dedication and your stamina...and appreciate the importance of the message that you deliver.
- Jeff Schimber, Sr. VP Marriott Corporation

The University Center Club at Florida State University
Stadium Dr and Pensacola
Tallahassee, FL 32304

The University Center Club is located in Building B of the University Center
at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Map to the University Center Club

Directions from Tallahassee Regional Airport

Turn left out of the airport parking lot. At the first light turn left to continue on Capital Circle. At the next light turn right onto State Road 20 (Pensacola Street). Continue on Pensacola, you will come to a light, take a right. Continue around the Stadium, until you come to another light at Hendry. Take a left at Hendry into the Stadium. You will come to a stop sign, take a right and continue until you see the Visitor's Parking on your right, take a right and then an immediate left. You will proceed to the tollbooth and grab a ticket.

Directions from I-10 (Monroe Street)

From Exit 29 (199) go south on Highway 27 (Monroe Street). Take a right onto Jefferson Street (located directly before the Capital Building on Monroe Street). Jefferson Street becomes Pensacola Street. Turn left onto Champions Way into stadium parking. Follow Signs to Visitor parking.

Directions from I-10 (Thomasville Road)

Take Thomasville Road South two to three miles until you merge onto Monroe Street. Make a left onto Monroe Street. Take Monroe Street South until you are at the Jefferson Street Traffic Light. Take a right onto Jefferson Street (located directly before the Capital Building on Monroe Street). Jefferson Street becomes Pensacola Street. Turn left at the last traffic light onto Champions Way into stadium parking. Follow Signs to Visitor parking.

A United Way Agency

"Independent Living: A state of mind, not a place to live"

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