Actress Brooke Shields will visit Springfield this fall for MSU conference

In front of a camera since she was a baby, actress Brooke Shields will be in Springfield this fall to discuss her life and navigating fame. She will also talk about overcoming challenges.

Shields will headline Missouri State's Public Affairs Conference, speaking at 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.

The three-day conference will run Sept. 24-26. This year's theme is “Between the One and the Many: Considering Community and Individualism.”

The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required because the event was made possible by both the Missouri State Foundation and KY3.

“Through her powerful message, Brooke encourages audiences to celebrate their own unique paths and to find the courage to pursue their dreams at any age," said Brent Dunn, executive director of the foundation, in a Monday news release. "As a true icon and trailblazer, she proves that with determination and a positive outlook, anything is possible."

Shields is an actress, model, author and entrepreneur.

The child star and model became a start with two early movies, "Pretty Baby," which came out in 1978, and 1980's "The Blue Lagoon." In addition to other movies, she has appeared on numerous TV shows including "Murphy Brown," "Two and a Half Men," "Law & Order," "That '70s Show," "Friends" and "The Simpsons."

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Her recent movie "Mother of the Bride," opposite Benjamin Bratt, was No. 1 on Netflix.

Shields has become known for empowering women of all ages and is preparing to release a book on aging and self-discovery, the release said.

The event is free but tickets to a special VIP reception with Shields, which starts at 5 p.m. Sept. 24, will cost $150 and include:

• A photo opportunity with Shields.

• An autographed copy of “There Was a Little Girl: The Real Story of my Mother and Me”.

• Cocktails, beverages and hors d’oeuvres.

• Special reserved seating at the keynote address.

For more information, call 417-836-4143.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Actress Brooke Shields will speak at MSU's Public Affairs Conference