"Quiet" Author Susan Cain Receives Toastmasters Golden Gavel Award For Distinguished Achievement In Communication And Leadership

CINCINNATI, Aug. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Susan Cain received Toastmasters' 2013 Golden Gavel award Friday, August 23, at Toastmasters' annual International Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130829/NY71874)

Cain is the author of the NY Times bestseller, Quiet: the Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking (Broadway Books, Jan. 2013). 

The award, presented annually to an individual distinguished in the fields of communication and leadership, is the organization's highest honor.

"Susan Cain is a perfect example of how people can step outside of their comfort zone to realize their potential," said John Lau, 2012-13 Toastmasters' International President, upon announcement of the Award in April. "She did that by extending herself as a leader, communicator and public speaker. Ms. Cain serves as a role model for introverts and extroverts alike who aspire to share their ideas, stories and messages of inspiration with the world."

"I'm honored and, truth-be-told, shocked, to receive this award from the preeminent public speaking organization in the world,"  said Cain on Friday. "So this is for all those introverts who, like me, want to overcome one of life's greatest and most debilitating fears -- speaking in public. Spreading the news that successful, confident public speaking is within reach for everyone is one of my Quiet passions.  If I can figure out a way to help other introverts feel the way I do right now -- to encourage them to stay true to who they are and be publicly enthusiastic about their best ideas -- I will work tirelessly to make it happen!"  

About Susan Cain

Last Year, Susan Cain's Quiet changed the national conversation about introversion and extroversion, generating a torrent of media, including a Time Magazine cover story, and a series of "most emailed" NY Times Op Eds by Susan.  Quiet was an instant NY Times bestseller and a global sensation in 35 languages -- a bestseller from Brazil to Taiwan. With over a million copies already in print worldwide, a Quiet Revolution is underway.

Quiet appeared on numerous "Best Books of 2012" lists, was Fast Company's Best Business Book of the Year, won GoodReads Nonfiction Choice Award, and was Audible's #1 Non-Fiction book. Cain has been featured in innumerable television, radio and print stories worldwide, from CBS to the BBC to NHK. Tom Peters (In Search of Excellence) recently hailed Quiet as a "masterpiece" and a "breakthrough book." Guy Kawasaki celebrated Susan's ability to reach "the 'niche' that represents half the people in the world."

Cain's record smashing TED talk on introversion has already been viewed almost 5 million times on TED.com alone, and was included by both Bill Gates and Steve Case on their favorite TED talks lists.  She quickly became a coveted speaker, appearing at Microsoft, Google, the U.S. Treasury, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Royal Society of Authors in the UK, the Okamura Corporation of Japan, and many others worldwide. 

For Susan, an award of this of stature from the world's leading public speaking organization is the culmination of an improbable journey from terrified public speaker only 18 months ago upon the launch of Quiet, to TED.com's 'most viewed' page and the podium at Toastmasters' annual convention: a triumph of Quiet Courage and dedication to serious self help.

Cain consults with major corporations and schools, and is developing a series of on-line courses on public speaking for introverts and better parenting of Quiet Kids. She is an honors graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School. You can visit her at www.thepowerofintroverts.com., and follow her on twitter (@susancain).

About Toastmasters International

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations. Headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, the organization's membership exceeds 292,000 in more than 14,350 clubs in 122 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people of all backgrounds become more confident in front of an audience. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit www.toastmasters.org. Follow @Toastmasters on Twitter.

SOURCE Author Susan Cain