A preview of America’s greatest leaders that you’ve never heard of
People should see themselves reflected in the American story.
To whom we pay attention matters. But too often, we foster an admiration for those who haven’t earned it. This can be true in our daily lives. It’s true in history too.
For example, we have statues of Confederate generals. These men seceded from the Union. They initiated the bloodiest war in American history. They did all of this because they believed that humans should be able to enslave other humans based on their skin color.
Our American history books are often filled with people who turned to violence and oppression against those who were unlike them. These people are still important, no matter how inhumane their actions. They still shaped our history, even if it was for the worst. And we must learn from their misdeeds.
But these figures are not representative of the wide range of people who shaped our history.
We must dedicate our reverence, our statues, and the days of our calendar to people who stand on the right side of history. The individuals who fought for We The People. The leaders who had a broad definition of “the people”: all of us.
We should venerate the people who dedicated their lives to fulfill the American dream. Who sacrificed to realize an America that was promised but not given. The people who truly believed that all of us are created equal. Who truly believed in everyone’s natural right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
There are so many people who peacefully fought for a more perfect union. So many who shaped the nation’s progress. When our nation has moved forward, it has done so because of our citizens’ servant leadership.
Progress doesn’t happen on its own. It takes effort, persistence, organizational skill, and a moral backbone.
So many of America’s leaders are rightly recognized and remembered. We hear these names in our homes and in our classrooms. We hear them in the news and in our daily lives. We know them.
And yet there are too many leaders that we do not celebrate. So many sacrificed and strived for a better country. One in which the American dream belongs to everyone, not just a privileged few.
Notoriety is no precondition to great leadership. But great leadership should be a precondition to notoriety. We should all have examples of great people to revere. And yet so many of the people who sacrificed most for America’s progress have not been given their historical due.
People like John Woolman, the Quaker preacher from the 1700’s, who was way past his time in preaching against the slave trade, animal cruelty, and injustice.
Or people like Robert Smalls, a Black politician after the Civil War. Before running for office, he freed himself and others from slavery by taking control of a Confederate ship and sailing to a Union area.
Or people like Ernestine Louise Rose, the suffragist and abolitionist who emigrated from Poland to the United States. She has been called the “first Jewish feminist.”
Or people like Fannie Lou Hamer, the civil rights and women’s right activist and community organizer. Even in the face of assault and intimidation, she tirelessly organized women and African Americans to vote and run for office.
Leaders like these, who dedicated their lives to the service of others. Even when it was at great risk to themselves.
I want to create a deeper understanding of these impactful yet underrated leaders. And I want to foster a sense of admiration for their struggles and accomplishments. We can learn about these unsung heroes, live by their principles, and view their achievements as a blueprint for our era.
The leaders who we will learn about are from different time periods, movements, backgrounds, affiliations, ideologies, professions, and locations. But they are united in their courage, compassion, and commitment to progress. They worked to keep the American story true to the values upon which it was founded.
Generation after generation has moved us closer to fulfilling the promise of our flawed but visionary Founders. We still have a long way to go. But we’ve also come a long way, thanks in part to the selfless leaders in the articles to come. No one is perfect, but these leaders come closer than most.
I’ll feature these unsung heroes of our nation’s history. We’ll delve into their backgrounds and lives. We’ll reflect upon each leader, and their efforts to create a better and more just America. One that cares for all of its people, no matter their skin color, gender, identities, or beliefs.
It is important to recognize the underrated leaders that paved our way. Let’s learn about these unsung heroes of the American story.
