Joanne Herring

Who is Joanne Herring?

Joanne Herring is a Houston socialite, political activist, businesswoman, and former talk show host.

In the 1980s Herring played a role in helping U.S. Representative Charlie Wilson persuade the U.S. government to train and arm the Mujahideen resistance fighters to fight in the Soviet war in Afghanistan, which began in 1979. These events inspired the book Charlie Wilson's War ; Herring is portrayed by actress Julia Roberts in the 2007 film adaptation.

Since the September 11 attacks, Herring has stated that she "did not make al-Qaeda," and that she "cannot predict the future."

Herring remains very active in social circles in Houston, and regularly contributes to and participates in benefits to help American troops and the Afghan people. Her second book, Diplomacy and Diamonds: My Wars from the Ballroom to the Battlefield, was scheduled for release on October 19, 2011.