Roslyn Franken is an Inspirational Author Speaker with a profound story and powerful message for how to better our lives and make our world a better place. The multi-media presentation of her parents' and personal survival, resilience and triumph over tragedy, as told in her internationally acclaimed book, Meant to Be, has been described as "emotionally charged, uplifting and presented in a manner that is both entertaining and inspiring." Roslyn travels across North America telling the story of her book to audiences of all ages and backgrounds from youths to seniors, diverse faith-based groups and community organizations to corporations, cancer groups, and more.
Roslyn is a wonderful and engaging speaker. I booked her for my Retirement home and was thrilled with the articulate, emotional and professional presentation she gave. After the presentation I had many residents come up to tell me how much they enjoyed her talk. One of them went as far as to tell me that she was the best guest speaker we’ve ever had here and thanked me profusely for booking her. I would recommend booking her to almost any type of group, not just for seniors.
I am the Community Relations Coordinator for Grand Villa of Largo Assisted Living & Memory Care Community. Once a month, we host a Motivational Breakfast for Healthcare & Non-healthcare Professionals in the area. Our goal is to select and invite speakers that have an interesting and uplifting topic that might make a difference in their day or life or business.
Last month, we were privileged to have Roslyn Franken speak about one of her books, “Meant To Be” which is a story about how her parents survived the unimaginable. Surviving cancer, imprisonment and much much more!
After the breakfast, Roslyn scooted upstairs to do her hour long presentation for our residents and outside guests…There was not a dry eye in the room. She left such a vision with those who were present. She speaks with such passion as if you are there re-living the many stories her parents lived through.
I am not exactly sure how I even heard about Roslyn or who connected us, however, I guess it was just “MEANT TO BE”!!
Thank you,
Lori Smith/Community Relations Coordinator
Grand Villa Senior Living Community
Roslyn Franken presented "Meant to Be" at Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater. Her amazing story about her parents, both prisoners of war during WWII, kept us riveted to our seats. It was inspiring and uplifting and we all left feeling a greater trust in the Powers that Be that many unexplainable events in our lives are simply 'meant to be.' The accompanying slides and video brought her story to life very effectively. I would definitely recommend Roslyn as a speaker at any gathering.
~ Carol Kay, Events Coordinator, Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater
Roslyn told her parents story with love and deep emotions, and what a powerful story it was. It was in part sad and uplifting, funny, caring, and well thought out. Roslyn compels the audience to listen to her with her clear and soothing voice modulation. I actually ordered the book for my library as I believe it’s a story worth reading.
Response from Roslyn Franken:
Thanks so much for your kind words, Sandra. It was a pleasure speaking at the West Community Library at St. Petersburg College. I appreciate the opportunity to share my parents' story.
Roslyn Franken gave a presentation on her book, "Meant To Be", at our Independent Retirement Community last Friday. Our Residents were so captivated by the story of her parent's individual survival against unbelievable odds, they were hanging on her every word. Many bought her book and promised to share with those that did not. It is a story that needs to be told and we were happy Roslyn came and shared it with our Community.
Susanne Kenney, Activities Director at Aston Gardens Sun City Center, Florida
“It was an absolute pleasure to have Roslyn at The Ravines Retirement Residence & Senior Suites on December 1st, 2016. It is very easy to say that all of our residents and visitors who attended were extraordinarily moved by the story that she had to tell, as well as the positive energy that she brought forth. Despite all of the heartache and despair that her parents and then herself have gone through, she helped us all realize that there is ALWAYS hope and that maybe just maybe our problems that we face today aren’t as rough as we think they are. She kept everyone spellbound throughout her story and It was clear that it touched everyone in different ways… I want to express our profound appreciation for helping us understand “all of the little miracles that life has to offer” I have had a number of Ravines Residents approach me to tell me how much they enjoyed Roslyn’s presentation and how well spoken they thought she was. Roslyn, I am extremely grateful that our paths crossed & I certainly hope that they do again. You & your family are truly an inspiration and the whole world deserves to hear your story. I can hardly wait to read your book this coming week on my flight to Dominican. I truly do to think that it was MEANT TO BE that that we have met and that I had the opportunity to listen to you speak because I personally took a lot away from your presentation... and for that I thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.”
Jessica Dube- Ravines Recreation Manager
Response from Roslyn Franken:
Thank you so much, Jessica, for your kind words. It was a pleasure sharing my MEANT TO BE story with your residents and other guests. It means a lot to know how well it was received and that it touched them all in different ways. There are so many lessons that we can learn from this story that can help us all live better lives. Thank you for the opportunity!
I just saw an amazing presentation by Roslyn Franken to our Grade10s and 11s at St. Francis Xavier Catholic High School. She gave two sides of World War II including the Japanese invasion as well as the Nazi invasion in Europe because her father was a Prisoner of War in Japan and her mother lived through all the cruelties of Auschwitz. What was amazing is how well she connected with the students and how she touched them with her speaking. It’s amazing not only how her parents went through so many obstacles and so many difficulties and so many times where they both could have perished, but how they managed to survive through all these hardships and unimaginable cruelty. The way it’s presented with the PowerPoint and the way Roslyn speaks to the students is very attractive and also very easy to understand. I would, therefore, highly recommend that as a teacher of religion or history, this is an amazing presentation to have her come and give for your students as well. Thank you very much, Roslyn.
"Roslyn, what an amazing story on such an important topic, and one that should be shared with all! It felt like we were traveling back in time and sharing your parents' journey with you
“Roslyn Franken's presentation of her book, Meant To Be, was breathtaking! From the moment she began telling her parents' story, the entire audience was completely captivated. The entire room was filled with tears, laughter, gasps, and sighs as they hung on her every word. And just when you thought the saga of these two faith-filled survivors couldn't get any more amazing, there was another twist that no one could have anticipated! As the daughter of the two heroic people, Roslyn was able to add an extra touch of personal insight that helped the story of these two people come alive. Even weeks later, our congregation is still talking about this experience. This is such a powerful story everyone needs to hear!
~ Russell O. McKee III, Pastor, Harvester United Methodist Church
Roslyn’s presentation was educational, reflective, engaging and fun. She was an excellent facilitator, engaging the audience without putting them on the spot. She gave us tools we can use in our everyday lives to avoid and carefully manage our stress levels. The fact that Roslyn is a survivor of many of life’s hard knocks made her even more believable and made us feel that these goals and attitude adjustments are attainable. To sum it up…I enjoyed every moment of her presentation and would recommend her anywhere, anytime!!
Price Range: Contact for rates
Gig Length: 20 - 75 minutes
Languages: English, French, Dutch
Roslyn Franken will leave your guests filled with wonder and inspired with hope. She will take your event guests on a compelling journey back in time sharing how her parents, John and Sonja Franken - two unlikely survivors of World War II – remarkably survive their captivity and find enduring love against all odds. Her dynamic presentation features an engaging combination of Roslyn’s masterful storytelling with a variety of audio-visual elements such as photos, live music, video clips and more. These original elements add tremendous impact and intrigue for a truly unique and memorable experience for your guests.
Her presentation of family and personal survival, resilience and triumph over tragedy has been described as "emotionally charged, uplifting and presented in a manner that is both entertaining and inspiring."
Roslyn travels across North America telling her educational and inspirational story
to diverse audiences of all ages and backgrounds: From youths to seniors, faith-based groups and community organizations to corporations, associations and those fighting cancer...
Why invite Roslyn as your speaker?
Known for her masterful storytelling and heartfelt speaking style, Roslyn delivers a compelling multimedia presentation that leaves her audiences filled with wonder and inspired with a greater spirit of hope and humanity.
Roslyn starts by telling the story of her parents' amazing survival, love and triumph of the human spirit as two unlikely survivors of World War II - Her mother survived the concentration camps of Nazi Europe, including the horrors of Auschwitz. Her father survived the Nagasaki atomic bomb as a prisoner of war in Japan. She shares how they were prisoners of war in opposite sides of the world who survived in the most extraordinary of circumstances and found everlasting love, against all odds.
She then goes on to share her own personal survivor story...
When diagnosed with cancer of the lymph nodes at 29 with a tumour in her neck resting on the main artery to her brain, Roslyn’s life was turned upside down. She was terrified. But after starting chemotherapy treatments with all its nasty side effects, Roslyn turned to her parents' amazing strength and never-give-up attitude as inspiration in her fight to beat cancer.
How did her parents survive their captivity? How did they meet, marry and make a beautiful life despite all their past trauma and tragedy? What life-changing lessons did Roslyn learn from her parents in her fight to beat cancer that we can all learn from to overcome our own obstacles, better our lives and make our world a better place?
The answers to these important questions and more make up the remarkable story that Roslyn shares on both the stage and the page in her multi-media stage presentation based on her book, Meant to Be: A True Story of Might, Miracles and Triumph of the Human Spirit.
Her parents' story was the subject of a television documentary that was nominated for a Gemini award and a movie adaptation of her book, Meant to Be, is currently in development for production as a feature film.
What event organizers are saying...
"Roslyn Franken's presentation was breathtaking! From the moment she began telling her parents' story, the entire audience was completely captivated. The entire room was filled with tears, laughter, gasps and sighs as they hung on her every word...This is such a powerful story everyone needs to hear!!
~ Russel O. McKee III, Pastor, Harvester United Methodist Church, Land O'Lakes, Florida
"As soon as Roslyn took the stage and began to speak, the students were mesmerized. There was not a single whisper among any of them, and at the end there was eager applause and several inspired questions were asked."
~ Stephanie Trapid, School Librarian, Bialik High School, Montreal, Canada
"Roslyn Franken’s is a powerful voice for teaching, for learning, and for inspiration!"
~ Len Schwartz, Congregational Vice-President, Temple Beth David of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Ideal for your next conference, youth event, community event, faith-based / religious event, senior event, fundraiser / charity event, banquet / gala or other group event.
Roslyn Franken is an inspirational Author Speaker who travels across North America telling the remarkable story of her internationally acclaimed book, Meant to Be: A True Story of Might, Miracles and Triumph of the Human Spirit. She wrote the book to share with the world how her parents survived captivity continents apart during World War II in the most unlikely of circumstances to find everlasting love and triumph over tragedy, against all odds. - Her mother survived the Holocaust concentration camps in Nazi Europe, while her father survived the Nagasaki atomic bomb as a Prisoner of War in Japan.
Roslyn also shares how at 29, she turned to her parents’ strength and never give up attitude as inspiration in her fight to beat cancer and overcome many other life obstacles. She shares valuable life lessons she learned from her parents that we can all learn from to better our lives and help make our world a better place.
Roslyn speaks to audiences of all ages and backgrounds from schools to diverse faith-based groups, retirement residences to community organizations, corporations, cancer groups and more.
She has been called a master storyteller and her audio visual presentation has been described as "emotionally charged, uplifting, inspiring and breathtaking." Roslyn is now taking her book from the page and stage to the big screen with a feature film adaptation currently in development.
How did her parents survive their captivity? How did they meet, marry and make a beautiful life despite all their past trauma and tragedy? What life-changing lessons did Roslyn learn from her parents in her fight to beat cancer that we can all learn from to better our lives and make our world a better place?
The answers to these important questions and more make up the remarkable story that Roslyn shares on both the stage and the page in her multi-media stage presentation based on her book, Meant to Be: A True Story of Might, Miracles and Triumph of the Human Spirit.
Her parents' story was the subject of a television documentary that was nominated for a Gemini award and a movie adaptation of her book, Meant to Be, is currently in development for production as a feature film.
Roslyn is also the author of The A List: 9 Guiding Principles for Healthy Eating and Positive Living, and co-author of Death Can Wait: Stories from Cancer survivors.
Her mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of others and improve the world in which we live. She has a Masters degree in Human Systems Intervention and Bachelors in Business Administration from Concordia University in Montreal.
Technical requirements include:
- a PowerPoint projector with sound capability
- speakers for audio components
- large projector screen
- wireless lapel microphone.
- technical person on site to help with technical set-up
Wireless headset microphone
St Petersburg, FL 
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