Bristol Palin gets paid $14,000 for speaking at pro life charity fundraiser

NEW YORK - MAY 05: Bristol Palin attends' The Harsh Truth: Teen Moms Tell All' Town Hall Meeting sponsored by The Candie's Foundation at Lighthouse International Conference Center on May 5, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
You know how Bristol Palin was bragging about how her parents don’t support her financially, but then we heard that she charges $30,000 a pop for speaking at pro life and abstinence events despite her lack of qualification on many levels? It looks like Bristol’s price has gone down, or maybe she lowered it as a courtesy to a charity, because she’s being paid $14,000 by a pro-life Christian home for unwed mothers to speak at a fundraiser. Maybe Bristol’s presence will bring in enough publicity and additional donations to Life House, in Louisville, KY, to justify her steep speaking fee, but I doubt it. In an interview with a local paper, one of the program’s directors said that Bristol’s fee is cheaper than other speakers they were considering, like Laura Ingraham. They admit that Bristol isn’t a role model, though:

Bristol Palin — the teen mother whose turbulent relationship with her son’s father has added a soap-opera subplot to her mother Sarah’s political career — will speak Sept. 8 on behalf of a home for single mothers in Louisville.

Palin, 19, will receive $14,000 to speak at a benefit at the Louisville Marriot Downtown on behalf of the Lifehouse, which was founded in 2007 and has operated in a brick house on Riedling Drive, a quiet street off Zorn Avenue.

The $125-per-person benefit will raise funds toward plans to double the home’s capacity, but it’s also intended to bring publicity to the program after its low-key startup, executive director Joan Smith said.

“We needed the community to know that we’re here,” Smith said. Until recently, “everything we’ve done has been by word of mouth,” she said.

To date, women staying at the program have given birth to 17 babies. Two of the mothers gave up their children for adoption, and the rest chose to raise them. Some of the clients leave the program while still pregnant, she said.

The non-denominational Christian program provides women with shelter, health care, counseling, classes in taking care of themselves and their children and aid toward their education.

“I’m one who believes if we’re going to say, ‘Don’t abort your baby,’ you have to offer alternatives,” said Smith, a registered nurse.

A team of volunteers has done everything to enovating the former four-unit house into a single-family residence so that the women can share meals, chores and other household life, she said. They also receive professional medical care.

She spoke in an interview with program director Sondra Warren in the basement office of the home, whose walls are adorned with Bible verses, paintings of the babies and an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Bibles share shelf space with the pregnancy bible, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” Cribs, play centers, baby gates and other staples of infant care serve as reminders of the home’s mission.

Smith said Bristol Palin, who has become a speaker advocating sexual abstinence before marriage, is relatively inexpensive compared to other speakers the group considered, such as conservative talk-radio host Laura Ingraham.

She said the goal of hosting Palin wasn’t to politicize the event, nor was it to hold her up as an ideal.

“A role model to me would be that young woman who chooses to complete her high school and go directly into college and remain chaste until she’s married,” Smith said.

But Palin’s life “is the reality,” she said. “She is a role model in the fact that she chose to have her child.”

[From The Courier Journal, thanks to Oxa for the tip]

Yes Bristol chose to have her child, but she’s getting paid more for an hour’s time than most other high school graduates can expect to make in several months. It was a relatively easy choice for her. Still, it sounds like a worthy program that tries to help young single moms get the education, healthcare and housing they need to get their babies off to a good start. I would think more highly of them if they didn’t just shell out $14k to book Bristol Palin, but maybe they think the PR is worth it. They should also invest in a copywriter for their website.

Meanwhile Bristol’s ex, Levi Johnston, has filed the paperwork necessary to run for Mayor of Wasila, AK. He previously admitted that it wasn’t his idea to run for mayor, that he thought it was a joke at first, and that it was pitched to him by producers for his new reality show. Levi has started filming the show, but is having trouble getting any networks interested in it. Levi wants to feature his 18 month-old son Tripp for the cute factor, but both Tripp’s mom Bristol and grandmother Sarah disapprove and it’s assumed they won’t allow it.

NEW YORK - MAY 05: Bristol Palin attends' The Harsh Truth: Teen Moms Tell All' Town Hall Meeting sponsored by The Candie's Foundation at Lighthouse International Conference Center on May 5, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - MAY 05: Bristol Palin attends' The Harsh Truth: Teen Moms Tell All' Town Hall Meeting sponsored by The Candie's Foundation at Lighthouse International Conference Center on May 5, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - AUGUST 08: Levi Johnston arrives at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards at Gibson Amphitheatre on August 8, 2010 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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48 Responses to “Bristol Palin gets paid $14,000 for speaking at pro life charity fundraiser”

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  1. Yasmine says:

    Even 14 grand is too much for this ignorant shit. Ughhh……..How is this idiot a role model for anyone? Especially not for other women who have reproductive choices. Palin and co.: fuck off, will ya? I’ll make my own reproductive choices. And oh, without all the cash your family had when u decided to keep the baby. So annoying and ignorant AND HYPOCRITICAL.

  2. mln says:

    Abstinence only doesn’t work and Bristol Palin is the poster child for that.So any abstinence only programs that that hire her to speak are idiotic.If you are pro-life I think you should admit that Birth control is a lesser evil than abortion.
    This specific charity sounds like a better fit for her, BUT she doesn’t deserve any money for it she should have spoken for free.

  3. aenflex says:

    To me she is no better a role model than those teen moms from MTV. Everyone’s playing house. No matter your stance on God or Abortion, there are so many ways to not end up a pregnant teen. Like condoms, like pulling out, like abstinence, like the pill. Why is it that young people don’t seem to understand that if the man finishes his business inside the breadbox, most likely you are gonna end up with a loaf of bread? I had plenty of sex when I was a teen, (judge away), and never once had a pregnancy scare.

  4. missmilly says:

    @mln…agreed. I was just going to say good for her, I mean why not??? But you have a great point.

  5. lucy2 says:

    It does sound like a good program that is helpful to those who choose to participate – but as it’s a charity, it seems kind of weird to take so much money for speaking. I could see covering her travel expenses, but $14K seems like a lot.
    I wouldn’t pay a dime to hear her speak, but she seems to have established a nice little career for herself, so good for her – but I don’t want to hear any more whining about doing it all on her own and being a struggling single mom.

  6. original kate says:

    the palins are all revolting, hypocritical snowbilly grifters who should stay in alaska – except the littlest girl and the special needs baby. but give them time.

  7. texasmom says:

    Yeah, birth control actually works if you use it. I was active sexually in high school, and managed to stay child-free until I was 36 — after the FIRST MONTH I stopped using birth control! It turns out I am very fertile indeed, stopping the little spermy dudes really does work if you take the effort to try. Can I have my $14,000 now?

  8. Jen says:

    Quite honestly she looks like a very unhappy person. And although I don’t think she’s very bright I can’t help but feel sorry for her. You know Sarah’s a pushy helicopter mom bitch.

  9. Celebitchy says:

    LMAO @aenflex “if the man finishes his business inside the breadbox, most likely you are gonna end up with a loaf of bread.” I have never heard that one before, thank you!

  10. moe says:

    I wonder how much she would charge to never speak publicly again?
    Id chip in for that.

  11. aenflex says:

    Thanks CB – I am truly flattered. Made it up on the fly, too. Maybe yours (and Kaiser’s) wit is rubbing off on me 🙂

  12. Kaboom says:

    At least it pays to be an irresponsible trollop – that’s the real message.

  13. photo jojo says:

    Hey Bristol,

    Shut up, and sit down. I was a teenage mom too. Here’s a tip: Go to college. Stay out of the limelight. Keep your head down. Get your son into school. Maybe move out of AK and change your name. You will regret this in 5 years. I promise.

    Good luck.

  14. TQB says:

    “I’m one who believes if we’re going to say, ‘Don’t abort your baby,’ you have to offer alternatives,” said Smith, a registered nurse.

    Finally, one rational, realistic pro-lifer. I am pro-choice but I have to admit my admiration for these people for actually providing women with another option. As bad as it is to force a woman to bear a child she doesn’t want, it’s equally bad for a woman to have to terminate a pregnancy she does want because she lacks the financial resources and support to have the child.

    Palin should give up the stupid abstinence talk and get behind more realistic options, like childcare and education options for teen moms and birth control. She of all people should know better.

  15. Katie says:

    I would rather hear one of MTV’s Teen Moms speak then her. At least none of them are preaching a phony abstinence message after becoming living proof that it doesn’t often work.

    Anyone know how much those Teen Mom girls get paid? They have to be getting money, because I don’t see how the ones who live in their own places can afford it from their tanning and waitressing jobs.

  16. Anna says:

    I think that this charity is a pretty wonderful thing. I also think that $14k is a lot for them.. but they are trying to get the word out on their program and well it worked! 🙂

    I love CB but typically try to avoid Palin stories because of how incredibly harsh everyone is on her… no matter how I feel about her mom.. or even her..

  17. guesty says:

    wouldn’t the $14k be put to better use within the charity itself? ridiculous.

  18. Tia C says:

    @ Jen: I noticed the sadness in her face too. And while I don’t agree with anything this family stands for, I kinda feel sorry for her too.

    She’s also starting to look older than her mother with that triple chin she’s sporting. Comfort eating much, Bristol?

  19. RHONYC says:

    good!
    now she can afford some lipo for that impending gross double-chin she got goin’ on.
    🙁

  20. hatsumomo says:

    So, Y’all are allowed to make your own reproductive choices, but ….Michelle Duggar cant for scorn?

    Yeah, I couldn’t resist going there.

  21. mimi says:

    whaaat??! I dunno, I kinda think it sends the message of “get knocked up as a teen, have a tabloid war with the baby daddy and make thousands of dollars talking about your *mistake*”!

  22. diane says:

    Forget about what she has to say, has anyone ever seen her speak? She CAN’T SPEAK!!!! I feel for the poor audience who paid money to hear her.

  23. Cinderella says:

    Now that was 14 grand wasted.

  24. TQB says:

    @texasmom – jealous, also 36, also stopped the birth control, no baby yet 🙁

    @hatsumomo – personally, my issue with the Duggars is that the woman is so oppressed by her religion and her husband that she’s not really getting to make a choice. But good point, in the argument of the right to choose, both choices should be respected.

  25. oh_mr_grey says:

    Wow, 14k from someone who preaches to abstain when she couldn’t keep her own legs shut? Mkay.

  26. Alarmjaguar says:

    Aenflex, generally agree on everything, but pulling out isn’t effective birthcontrol…the breadbox bit was inspired, however,

  27. mymy says:

    Correct me if I am wrong. The 14,000 aside. Isn’t she trying to help because she understands the issue due to not abstaining? Sometimes we make mistakes and we learn from them. this is how she feels it might help others it might have helped her. I have nothing to say about her as a person because I don’t really know much about her. She seems like a good mom. Her kid looks happy and healthy.
    People have the right in this country to be pro choice and pro life. That’s what has always made this country great.
    As much as I do not like zealots in the pro life camp. I notice some pro choicer people as just as extreme.
    Hating and trashing anyone who disagrees with their view. Why act like the very people you condemn?

  28. LindaR says:

    Why would anyone pay to hear anything out of the mouth of this silly little nobody? What could she possibly have to say that is worth $14 grand?

  29. coup de grazia says:

    if this cause truly meant something to Bristol, you’d think she’d be happy to speak at an event like this for free and let the charity keep that money to help provide its services. i have been to many a charity fundraiser where the headlining speakers take no money b/c the whole point is to put money IN the pocket of the organization. Bristol and her mom test the limits of my gag reflex on a regular basis.

  30. Leticia says:

    Celebitchy, please please do not post any more items about Bristol Palin. She is not interesting plus it really brings out meanness in the commenters.

  31. Alarmjaguar says:

    I’m okay with no more articles about Bristol, but I actually think the comments are pretty hohum on this post. None struck me as particularly mean compared to other posts.

  32. chris says:

    What a waste of money. That “charity” is probably run by a bunch of rich bored housewives who had abortions before they married well and “got right” with the lord (I have a good friend who fits into this category nicely). I’m happy they’re tyring to take care of young mothers, but that $14,000 would have bought alot of diapers and formula if they hadn’t been out for anything more than attention.

  33. di butler says:

    Not sure I get all the vitrol over a teen mom. Who cares what she says or who her parents are? If you weren’t planning on attending this event, why would you care what she gets paid or who they have speaking? Some of ya’ll are just nasty. Daaang.

  34. gee_gee says:

    Nice. The picture up top makes her look like an inbred half-wit. Sure, I’d want her to speak at my event.

  35. princecastillo says:

    I am truly mystified as to who would pay to listen to this girl whose mother made the ‘choice’ for her…
    I am vehememtly pro choice but can certainly have respect for a charity that offers a real solution to any girl who makes an informed decision to continue with a pregnancy…
    In the case of Bristol Palin-she would hardly represent a normal case of an unwed teenage mother when she clearly has cashed in and benefited from her mothers noteriety( I say noteriety because what else does Sarah Palin have of substance about her?).
    They really are a family of grifters.

  36. daisyfly says:

    So this place was founded in 2007, and it’s success rate is 17 babies?

    $14k is too much for anyone to speak about the difficulties of giving birth and raising a child as a teen because no one should ever take seriously the girl who gets paid FOURTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS TO SAY IT’S HARD.

  37. guestarooni says:

    First off… she always looks so sad. I almost feel sorry for her. (ALMOST)

    I agree with abstinence. I abstained till I was married and I don’t see anything wrong with my choice, in fact, I’m pretty happy with my choice. I also don’t see anything wrong with BC if you choose to engage sooner. Kudos to this org for giving options. I mean, isn’t that what is supposed to make ‘merica great??

    Uh, that being said… I would have giving a speech for nothing… ok… maybe the cost of the dinner for me and the hubby. Dinners out are a luxury for us in this economy.

  38. Emily says:

    @TQB, I’m with you on that! So many pro-lifers just say “don’t abort, you need to keep it”. I’m pro-choice, but for them to tell women to keep their babies, but then actually help prepare them and help get them education and health care is a really good way to go about it.

  39. vivian says:

    It is amazing how someone, who’s only claim to fame was that she was too dumb not to get pregnant, is making money off her ignorance. Sara Palin really should think twice before saying she’s proud of her. I would be prouder as a mother if she used birth control or practiced abstinence. She was ptrgnant pretty young. At what age did she start-13?? And her promiscuity at that age is rewarded?? Where was Sara and her husband?? Would you really want someone in government who doesn’t know what’s happening in their own family??

  40. texasmom says:

    @TQB: Didn’t mean to rub my good luck in. I also agree with you on respecting both sides of the choice issue. Good luck with your no birth control project! Read “Taking Charge of Your Fertility” — I swear it got me 2 babies in 2 tries. I loaned it to a friend who has been trying for over a year and she got pregnant right away. too!

    @Emily, I also respect pro-lifers who put their money where their mouths are and actually help pregnant women in need get their footing.

    But can’t someone be against abortions and FOR birth control?? The latter makes the former unnecessary.

  41. jc126 says:

    Ugh, I hate references to “keeping one’s legs shut”. Just yucky.
    TQB, I hope your wish comes true soon.
    Regarding Bristol, she’s an idiot, and I’d be seriously pissed if I had donated to this place, but I doubt she’ll regret earning this money in five years.

  42. Emily says:

    @texasmom, I think most pro-lifers are religious, and therefore don’t approve of any pre-marital sex. Their argument is you don’t need birth control if you’re note having sex. Stupid, I know…

  43. Kelly says:

    IMO, this tacky piece is a virtually unanswerable argument AGAINST limiting access to terminations. If only more women stopped squirting out precious little gobs of life like this. World would be a better place.
    Boom.

  44. DrM says:

    As someone who is pro-choice I was also heartened to hear some realism from the pro life brigade…respect and all.

    I got pregnant at 19, was on welfare, got married had 3 more children, got a degree, got divorced, got a PhD and now make good money and hold up my end of the bargain financially and otherwise in my second marriage. It wasn’t easy…but it was worth it. I’d speak for free, cover my travel expenses and I’m all theirs. The message should be that it isn’t the end of your life to have a child, you aren’t stupid or worthless. Its going to be more work and probably a lonelier journey than it might have been otherwise. Better on your own and making your way then with someone who doesn’t want to be there and may in fact treat you and the child badly.

    If Bristol Palin (or any of her family) had any true guts, empathy or ethics she’d speak for free (aside from travel costs) and from the heart. I”m tired of she and her family shoving their hypocritical message down our throats. Whether you choose to have a child or not its a decision that has consequences and its the woman that bears the brunt of them. That’s why we all have the freedom of choice…and why its so important that we keep it that way.

  45. Katija says:

    I see a lot of pro-choicers who are saying, “Well, at least it’s good that they’re saying ‘keep your baby,’ but here are your options.”

    Um, sorry, NO. Big fail. The right thing for any organization like this to do is say, “here’s what will happen if you get an abortion. Here’s what will happen if you seek out adoption. Here’s what will happen if you keep it. Now you need to decide.”

    Any “pro-life” organization that takes in vulnerable, scared pregnant girls – children themselves, really – and never even PRESENTS them with abortion as an option is scummy, creepy, and anti-woman. Bristol should find someone with half a brain cell to raise her baby and then take a long walk off a short pier.

  46. Westcoaster says:

    I hope Bristol remembers that everything she says in public her son could read about one day. This also goes for her son’s father Levi.
    Maybe the two of them should stop being fame whores and concentrate on raising their son.

  47. TaylorB says:

    Bristol is ‘pro-choice’, she chose to have unprotected sex and unless she didn’t know how babies are made she knew that a baby was a possible outcome. That was a choice. A stupid one due to all the STD’s out there, some fatal, but a choice. She chose to bang that idiot and have his child, that was her choice. Abstinance is also a ‘choice’, so it follows that in a way she is in fact pro-choice.

  48. Bella Mosley says:

    I am sure she will donate the entire sum. After all her family is all about public service and not about making the big bucks for themselves. . . . . . . . . rolls eyes and falls to floor laughing . . . . . .