History Matters: Doris Kearns Goodwin at CA

This week, we are so fortunate to have the distinguished historian Doris Kearns Goodwin speak to the Colorado Academy community about leadership. As a historian, I am excited about interviewing her and getting her insights. I am a complete non-fiction nerd, and I love reading about past presidents and how they approached complex problems. Presidential leadership, at its best, reveals how individuals grow into moments that history does not allow them to avoid. Few historians have explored this more richly than Goodwin, whose work consistently returns to a central idea: Leadership is not simply a set of traits one possesses, but a set of capacities one develops, often under intense pressure, failure, and moral strain.

When I was doing my doctoral research, I was fortunate enough to earn fellowships to spend time in the Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson presidential libraries. As you think about your summer travels, I encourage you to consider visiting a presidential library or spending time at the Library of Congress or the National Archives. My topic was exploring Cold War refugee policy and the Immigration Act of 1965. I remember poring over thousands of documents while trying to ascertain how each administration functioned and the role that presidents played in decision-making. Even though it was really hard work, there would be these wonderful “aha” moments when I would uncover a key document or gain insight toward answering my questions.

Goodwin has undoubtedly had many of these moments throughout her career. She has been a reliable source and commentator on leadership for decades. I love it when she appears on news broadcasts and shares her ability to frame a current issue and analyze it from a historical perspective. She demonstrates the need for all citizens to have a grasp of our nation’s history. It allows us to see patterns and trends. Having this knowledge allows us to be better citizens, making informed decisions on current political, economic, and cultural questions. 

When I read Goodwin’s books, it is so clear that the stakes of presidential leadership are extremely high. Whether it was Lincoln navigating the Civil War or Johnson managing Vietnam, these leaders had to meet immense challenges under extraordinary pressure. I have always been struck by Goodwin’s ability to convey holistically what these leaders confronted.

I hope you will join us on Thursday morning. Our parents and students will have the opportunity to hear from one of the nation’s most respected historians about how leaders navigate moments of uncertainty—something that feels especially relevant today.

History matters, and in welcoming Doris Kearns Goodwin to CA, we are doing more than reflecting on leadership; we are helping to cultivate it. By learning from the past, our students are better prepared to think clearly, act thoughtfully, and lead with purpose in whatever challenges lie ahead.