Distinguished Deltas: Doris Goodwin

Happy Tuesday, Deltas! Today, we are shining a spotlight on a sister whose gift for storytelling has brought American history to life for millions. Doris Kearns Goodwin is nothing short of extraordinary. Her life and career have been defined by brilliant scholarship, an unending curiosity, and a deep passion for uncovering the human spirit behind our nation’s greatest leaders. From the campus of Colby College to the halls of the White House, she has consistently set the standard for excellence and leadership.

Born in 1943 in Brooklyn, New York, Doris grew up with a deep love for history and baseball. When it came time for college, she headed to Colby College in Waterville, Maine, to study government. It was at Colby that she pledged Tri Delta (Alpha Theta Chapter), balancing a rigorous academic schedule with campus life. She excelled in everything she put her mind to, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1964, proving early on that her dedication to knowledge and leadership had no bounds.

After graduation, Doris pursued higher education with unmatched ambition. She moved to Massachusetts to earn her Ph.D. in Government from Harvard University. In 1967, her intellect and drive earned her a prestigious appointment as a White House Fellow during Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency. Her talent quickly caught the President's attention, and she was asked to join his direct staff. She went on to assist President Johnson in writing his memoirs, giving her an insider's view of executive leadership that would start her historic career as a presidential historian.

Doris became a household name through her masterfully written biographies and historical books. In 1995, her monumental work, No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II, earned her the Pulitzer Prize in History. She later authored Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, a groundbreaking bestseller that served as the primary basis for Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-winning film Lincoln. Through her books, television commentary, and lectures, she has spent decades helping the public understand the qualities of effective, empathetic leadership.

We can be inspired by Doris not only for her extraordinary intellect and literary achievements, but also for her warmth, empathy, and lifelong dedication to preserving the stories that shape our world. She truly embodies the spirit of Delta Delta Delta!

Have a great week, Deltas! DLAM!