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Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson – delivering an emotional opening keynote that earned a standing ovation to a packed room at NAFCU's 2019 Congressional Caucus Monday – instilled a David versus Goliath mindset in credit unions as they prepare to head to Capitol Hill to advocate on key issues.

“I know what it’s like to be the little gal taking on Goliath,” Carlson said to NAFCU’s members. “But, you’re never too big to fail…Aim the rock just right and giants do fall.”

Carlson shared insights to her experiences – from being raised by a hard-working, Midwestern family to winning Miss America to working as a journalist and covering presidential elections – and how they influenced her to speak out against sexual harassment.

She offered recommendations to "make things more equal," including stronger workplace protections for those who are harassed, being aware of media bias and "fake news" – which she described as news a person disagrees with, rather than actually being inaccurate – and allowing people to have nuanced opinions.

"I choose to fight," Carlson concluded, encouraging credit unions to take on their Goliaths as they work to support local businesses, provide first-time home loans and help people receive higher education through student loans.

Attendees also had the opportunity to ask Carlson questions at the end of her keynote. She addressed the importance of giving people a voice, the student loan debt issue, how to stop fake news and the hyper-partisanship of the country.