Elayne Boosler was an up-and-coming comedian alongside the likes of Jay Leno, Andy Kaufman, Robin Williams and Larry David. Not only did she have a first-hand look at the beginnings of the careers of some of the greatest comics in history, she’s become a legend herself. She been named one of the 50 best standup comics of all time, and she says she learned a lot of life lessons as a woman trying to make her way in a male-dominated field.

Boosler is a great performer and writer and someone with a level head and laser-sharp wit. But perhaps her greatest passion is making a difference. She’s the founder of Tails of Joys, an organization that has been raising funds to help animal rescue groups for nearly 20 years.

She also continues to find new ways to push her comedy forward, including the release of Timeless, a boxed set featuring four of her favorite stand-up specials.

Find out how Boosler overcame her self doubts about her career, and in the process, inspired a generation of women to pursue lives in comedy.