Lizz Winstead

Lizz Winstead Speaker Biography

Co-Creator of The Daily Show and Founder of Abortion Access Front

Lizz Winstead, the co-creator of The Daily Show and abortion rights activist, has redefined the intersection of comedy and civic engagement. As the original head writer and co-creator of the Emmy-winning series, she helped birth a cultural revolution in how people consume news. Her influence doesn’t stop at television. In 2004, she co-founded Air America Radio, where she hosted Unfiltered alongside Rachel Maddow and Chuck D. Winstead continues to wield satire as a weapon against misinformation, bigotry, and political apathy. Blending wit with purpose, she transforms comedy into a platform for progress. Notably, her current work with Abortion Access Front demonstrates how media savvy and activism can drive real-world impact. Her speeches and performances offer more than laughs—they spark awareness, challenge hypocrisy, and push audiences toward action. Whether on stage, in the studio, or online, Winstead amplifies marginalized voices while relentlessly defending truth and justice with humor and heart.

Author and Acclaimed Satirical Voice

In 2012, Riverhead Books published Winstead’s essay collection Lizz Free or Die, which received critical praise for its wit and candor. The New York Times called it “searching and lively… and moving.” The book explores her journey as a comedian, activist, and woman navigating a male-dominated industry. In addition to her published work, Winstead contributes biting political commentary to outlets like The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, and The Huffington Post. Her writing combines observational brilliance with unapologetic honesty, revealing the absurdity in both personal and political systems. Yet her prose, like her stand-up, never loses its emotional core. She’s not merely mocking the status quo—she’s dissecting it. Her essays and op-eds often tackle topics like reproductive rights, media responsibility, and cultural polarization. By fusing satire with substance, Winstead ensures her voice remains one of the most necessary in modern discourse. Her words provoke laughter, yes—but also deep, lasting reflection.

Comedy, Commentary, and Creative Legacy

Lizz Winstead’s career as a comedian and media disruptor has earned her recognition across the entertainment landscape. She’s been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Entertainment Weekly’s “100 Most Creative People” issue. Additionally, she’s appeared on Comedy Central Presents, HBO, CNN, and regularly on MSNBC, where her insights shine through partisan noise. While her comedy is razor-sharp, her purpose is crystal clear: use laughter to illuminate truth. Few comedians blend satire, storytelling, and activism with such ease. Winstead’s voice is fearless, grounded in decades of challenging institutional hypocrisy—whether in politics, religion, or entertainment. Through her continued performances and media appearances, she remains a leading force in shaping how Americans confront power through humor. Importantly, her legacy isn’t just about being funny; it’s about being effective. And as the co-creator of The Daily Show and abortion rights activist, her ability to provoke and inspire is unmatched.

Abortion Rights Activism and Cultural Disruption

Winstead is a founding force behind Abortion Access Front (AAF), formerly Lady Parts Justice League—a comedy-driven nonprofit fighting for reproductive freedom. As an abortion rights activist, she uses humor to expose anti-choice extremism and destigmatize reproductive healthcare. AAF’s on-the-ground campaigns reach across all 50 states, bringing energy and visibility to grassroots abortion providers. Winstead’s leadership helps transform rage into action and hopelessness into solidarity. Moreover, she has created an entirely new model of activist storytelling: one that disarms with laughter but educates with precision. As the co-creator of The Daily Show and abortion rights activist, she uniquely understands how to weaponize pop culture against oppression. Through live shows, web series, and community events, AAF elevates reproductive justice using the sharpest tool in Winstead’s arsenal—comedy. At a time when rights are under siege, her fearless satire reminds audiences that truth, when delivered with wit, can still break through the noise.

A Woman’s Voice in Comedy and Beyond

Winstead’s path into comedy wasn’t paved—it was carved. Growing up in a conservative Catholic family in Minneapolis, she rarely saw women like herself on stage. In a revealing NPR interview, she recalled how the absence of women in stand-up left her unsure if she even belonged. That changed when a friend, after watching George Carlin together, asked, “Why not you?” That question ignited her career. Since then, she has become a beacon for women in comedy—mentoring, producing, and amplifying female voices that challenge the norm. Today, she tours the country performing stand-up to raise awareness and funds for abortion rights. Based in Brooklyn, she continues to blend humor and activism with fearless precision. Her life proves that breaking barriers doesn’t require asking permission. As the co-creator of The Daily Show and abortion rights activist, Lizz Winstead stands as a bold reminder that laughter is both a weapon and a remedy.