Ice Queen Starbuck in Spotlight for 'Wise Wonderful Women'

JoJo Starbuck, figure skating champion, Olympian and Madison resident, will speak about “The Thrills and Spills of My Life as an Olympic Skater,” Oct. 27 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the , to launch the Thursday Morning Club’s lunch and lecture series, “Wise Wonderful Women.” 

Starbuck and childhood skating partner, Ken Shelley, won the U.S. Pairs Championship for three consecutive years, twice won bronze medals at the World Championships. and competed at two Olympic Games as the youngest-ever U.S. pairs team. They were later inducted into the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame.

As professionals, Starbuck and Shelley starred in “Ice Capades” before JoJo partnered with Olympic champion, John Curry, in his acclaimed show, “Ice Dancing,” appearing at the Metropolitan Opera House, Broadway and around the world. She later worked as ice choreographer for World and Olympic skaters and coach for young competitive and professional skaters.

Starbuck performed in two feature films, “New York Stories” and “Cutting Edge,” wrote an autobiography, and is sought after as a motivational speaker. She now directs Starbuck & Company, a special events production group that customizes ice skating entertainment, promotional, and fund-raising events. Starbuck runs the popular “JoJo’s Cool Workout Classes” at the Rink at Rockefeller Center where she is the head pro and spokesperson. 

Starbuck and her husband, architect Jeff Gertler, live in Madison with their 16-year-old twin sons.

The event is open to the public, and there is a registration fee of $35 for lunch and the lecture. Checks can be made payable and mailed to “TMC, Wise, Wonderful Women,” P.O. Box 345, Madison, N.J., 07940. Cancelled checks will serve as a receipt; no tickets will be mailed. Reservations are required and non-refundable. For additional information contact christajanssens@yahoo.com or call 973-723-6145, or Rose Mary Dinnhaupt at 973-377-8508, the Club’s Ways and Means chairwoman.

The Thursday Morning Club is a social and philanthropic organization which owns and operates the Madison Community House, home to the Nursery School, Dress for Success, and the Before and After School Child Care program. For more information about the Thursday Morning Club or membership, please contact the Community House at 973-377-0244 or visit www.TMCMCH.org.