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Hilary Rosen
2009 Icon



Commentator    
 
b. October 22, 1958
 
“It’s never satisfying enough to hear how much progress there has been if we don’t have full equality.”
 
Hilary Rosen is a political contributor for CNN, Washington editor at large for The Huffington Post, and managing partner of the Washington office of the Brunswick Group, a London-based public relations and communications firm. 
 
Rosen grew up in West Orange, New Jersey. Her mother was the first woman elected to the town council. 

In 1981, Rosen earned a degree in international business from George Washington University. She started working in politics for New Jersey Governor Brendan Byrne and for U.S. Senator Bill Bradley.

In 1987, Rosen joined the staff of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). From 1998 to 2003, she served as RIAA’s chairman and CEO. Under her leadership, RIAA became the most influential voice of the music industry in Washington and advanced a successful campaign to limit digital file swapping of copyrighted music. 

In 1999, Rosen and her then-partner, Elizabeth Birch, adopted twins—a boy and a girl. 

Rosen began working as a commentator for CNBC and MSNBC. She signed with CNN in 2008. She was a founder of “Rock the Vote,” which promotes youth involvement in politics.

Entertainment Weekly named Rosen one of the 101 most influential people in entertainment. The New York Post ranked Rosen among the 10 ladies who launch entertainment trends. Out Magazine named her one of the 50 most powerful gay and lesbian Americans.