Doris Kearns Goodwin Delivers Inspirational Keynote at Academic Nursing Leadership Conference

At AACN's 2019 Academic Nursing Leadership Conference, held October 19-22 in Washington, DC, members and guests were treated to a remarkable keynote address from Pulitzer Prize winner, best-selling author, and presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Dr. Goodwin, whose most recent book is Leadership in Turbulent Times, began her address with the observation, "Somehow, when you look back, I think it gives us some solace today to know we've been through more turbulent times before." She proceeded to captivate the audience as she shared stories and insights about her four "guys": Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson, all of whom she has chronicled in separate books. Relating to the topic of leadership, Dr. Goodwin was able to weave tales regarding these four presidents and touch on the personal attributes that made them great leaders. She spoke of "my guys" as if she knew them personally, which made for a spellbinding presentation, for which she received a rousing standing ovation at the conclusion.