Geopolitics & Diplomacy
Through MTV, Bill was able to continue his geopolitical endeavors by spreading American ideas of democracy and freedom around the world. In 1989, Bill broadcasted MTV to both sides of the Iron Curtain, helping bring down the Berlin Wall just two days later. Roedy later obtained a 3.5-ton section of the Berlin Wall in conjunction with former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev’s receipt of the MTV Free Your Mind Award. The section of wall is inscribed with a personal message from Gorbachev: “Music is more powerful than missiles.”
In the present day, Bill supports Seeds of Peace, is a member of the Council of Foreign Relations, and advised the State Department. He and his wife Alex have also been appointed as Churchill Fellows, and in 2011 Bill delivered the Green Lecture known as Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech at Westminster College. The speech has been delivered by a number of historically renowned figures such as former U.S. Presidents Harry S. Truman, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, and former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
On June 12th, 2024, America’s National Churchill Museum and Westminster College will be hosting an event in London to honor Bill’s global service and Churchillian spirit. For more information, please visit the National Churchill Museum website.
My Journey from Despair to Victory
This past spring my wife Alex and I went to Poland for the March of the Living, visiting all the main camps, ghettos, and museums. This was followed by a trip with my fellow West Point brothers to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, where we walked the windswept beaches of Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. Afterwards, we all went to London to celebrate Churchillian leadership, attending the Churchill Leadership Award Gala where I received the Leadership Medal, a tremendous honor. There was no better way to honor his legacy than with Churchillian friends and mentors by my side.
From the despair of the Holocaust, to the victories in battle, to finally reflecting on Churchill’s leadership which was absolutely necessary to pull it off… this summer was incredibly and profoundly meaningful.
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Winston Churchill Leadership Medal for Bill Roedy
On Tuesday June 12, 2024, during a gala at London’s historic Guildhall, America’s National Churchill Museum at Westminster College presented the Winston Churchill Leadership Medal Award to soldier, global media pioneer, global-health statesman Bill Roedy.
After serving his country in Vietnam, Bill had the audacious idea of bringing MTV to East Germany, helping topple the Wall that divided the country for more than three decades. Further, he used the power of television and music through MTV to reach 2 billion viewers, raising awareness for HIV/AIDS and fighting stigma surrounding the disease. He has since led and worked with a multitude of Global Health Initiatives to fight the biggest pandemics of this century, lowering HIV/AIDS around the world, reducing child mortality by half, and later helping to stop covid in its tracks.
Below is a recap of the historical night along with the pre-events leading up to it.
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Following in his footsteps, Bill’s wife Alex Roedy was inducted into the Churchill Fellowship at America's Churchill Museum on March 23, 2024
We kicked off the Churchill Leadership Award festivities with a bang the night before the Gala - celebrating our special bond across the pond with a post-war themed pre-party at The Old Church. This once-in-a-lifetime occasion that saw the unity of Miami Beach movers and shakers, West Point Veterans, Global Health leaders, the MTV crew, and everyone in between.
At the ceremony, retired four-star Admiral James Stavridis delivered a timely speech about America’s security and our role in the world. Click above to watch the recording.
The Churchill Leadership Award Gala opening video presentation honoring Bill and his many contributions to geopolitics, global health, and the media landscape.
Baron Andrew Roberts of Belgravia gives a profound speech that honors both Winston Churchill’s legacy and Bill Roedy’s.
Bill’s acceptance speech, where he reflects on his recent voyage through March of the Living 2024, the 80th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, and his top 10 favorite Churchill quotes.
A montage of the speeches given throughout the night by illustrious speakers such as Winston Churchill's great grandson Randolph Churchill, Baron Andrew Roberts of Belgravia, and Director and Chief Curator of America's Churchill Museum Timothy Riley.
Diplomacy
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(2021) Bill speaks at Sinews of Peace 75
Join ANCM Director Timothy Riley in a chat with past John Findley Green Foundation Lecturers William Roedy, former chairman and CEO of MTV International, and Bob Geldof, musician and humanitarian, about Churchill and the 75th anniversary of his "Sinews of Peace" speech. Recorded March 1, 2021, and aired March 5 at approximately 11:30 am during the Museum's #sinewsofpeace75 virtual event.
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(2019) Bill joins the Foreign Affairs Policy Board
Bill serves as an Advisor on the State Department’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board. He was selected by fellow West Point Graduate and Former US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo.
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(2015) Bill joins the Council on Foreign Relations
CFR’s membership represents a group unmatched in accomplishment and diversity in the field of international affairs. The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher.
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(2015) Vietnam Memorial
Bill was invited to speak at the Memorial on October 10th 2015 in Washington DC. Click the link below to read the full speech.
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(2014) Seeds of Peace
On Sunday 6th April 2014 the Roedy’s began a 5-day ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world, at 19,341 feet to raise money for Seeds of Peace & The Staying Alive Foundation. Bill and Alex joined a fact-finding mission to Israel and the West Bank in 2014, meeting with world leaders to further the search for peace.
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(2011) Bill delivers Churchill's Green Lecture speech
Bill gave the same Green Lecture speech as Winston Churchill at Westminster College on 22nd September 2011 as part of the John Findley Green Lecture Series.
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(1989) Bill and Berlin Wall
In 1989, Bill led the start-up MTV Europe, bringing a new form of television to viewers on both sides of the Iron Curtain.
Videos
Below are Bill’s top selections. For our full playlists, please visit our YouTube Channel here.
Click here for the full Diplomacy playlist.