What Would Profiles In Courage Look Like Today?

My Courageous Mom

In 1956, this was the title of a book authored by John F. Kennedy with Ted Sorenson as a ghostwriter.  It was the biography of eight senators who defied the opinions of their party and constituents to do what they felt was right and suffered severe criticism and losses in popularity. 

I can’t help but wonder who would be in such a book if it were written today. This is not a political blog but a questioning of courage in an environment without truth and the rule of law. 

It Takes Courage

It takes courage to leave a decade-long employment rather than abandon principles. It takes courage to point out fact over fiction. It takes courage to seek many long-term benefits rather than a few short-term ones.   

And yes, even my ever-faithful operations manager is aghast that I would share these thoughts with my readers.

But if I don’t, where is my courage? Is playing safe and writing about general work and communication topics better? Indeed, there is much to think about.

I am Best Supported by the Courage of My Mom, a WWII WASP

I am best supported by remembering my mother, who, against some public sentiment, flew for the military in WWII. Mom was a WASP, a Women’s Air Force Service Pilot.  She put her country before the fact that politicians and journalists would state that women didn’t belong in military planes—that they would be disbanded and sent away without any acknowledgment that they flew 60 million miles of military service. And yes, 36 of them died in duty—a service that freed up male pilots for combat duty.  Courage?  You bet.

So, I suspect I will continue to carry on her legacy and do whatever I can to save this fantastic nation. 

Do you want to join me?