03/03/2026

Dr. Colleen Shogan, FLARE Members Contribute to In Pursuit

FLARE member Dr. Colleen Shogan, former Archivist of the U.S., is leading the civics education program In Pursuit that premiered on Presidents’ Day, February 16, 2026. Sponsored by the nonpartisan More Perfect, which “is a bipartisan initiative to engage institutions and Americans in protecting and renewing American democracy,” In Pursuit will release leadership lessons throughout the year about presidents and first ladies in 1250-word essays written by former presidents and first ladies, historians, journalists, and scholars. The first two on George Washington by President George W. Bush and
Martha Washington, by historian Karen Wulf, was released on Presidents' Day, followed by John Adams, by Danielle Allen, and Abigail Adams, by Joseph Ellison. 

Other FLARE members involved in the project are Anita McBride, in Pursuit Co-Chair and author of Bess Truman; Catherine Allgor, author of Dolley Madison; Nancy Beck Young, author of Lou Henry Hoover; Diana Carlin, author of Jane Pierce; Matt Costello, author of James K. Polk; Michelle Gullion author of Ida McKinley; Christopher Leahy, author of John Tyler, Heath Lee author of Pat Nixon; Stewart McLaurin author of James Monroe; Rebecca Roberts, author of Edith Wilson; Lisa Romano, author of Mary Todd Lincoln; Colleen Shogun, author of Grace Coolidge; Nancy Kegan Smith, author of Caroline Harrison; and Jennifer Taylor, author of Florence Harding.

Dr. Shogan will also be featured as the luncheon keynote speaker at the May 15 conference co-sponsored by FLARE and the First Ladies Institute in the School of Public Affairs at American University. She will be interviewed by Anita McBride about In Pursuit.