Exploring the Ideas Shaping America

Through public programs and expert panels, Our American Roots brings nationally recognized speakers to Oak Ridge

to encourage thoughtful conversation about

America's history and its continuing impact today.

In honor of the Nation's 250th anniversary

Our American Roots 2026

will be presenting programs to encourage discovery and discussion....

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Our American Roots 2026,

The 4th Season - Program 2

"First Ladies: Their Influence on Societal Change"

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

American Museum of Science and Energy

115 E. Main St., Oak Ridge

Doors open at 5 for light refreshments, presentation at 6 pm

"First Ladies: Their Influence on Societal Change" will examine how our First Ladies, using their powerful platform, have played significant roles in spotlighting societal challenges and bringing people together to address them. From issues of health and literacy, to combatting poverty and inequality, First Ladies have been major forces for positive action in the U.S. and around the globe.

PANEL:

Dr. Diana Carlin

Founding member and President of the First Ladies Association for Research and Education (FLARE) and Professor Emerita of Communication at Saint Louis University

Anita McBride

Executive-in Residence and founder of the First Ladies Initiatives at American University, founding member of FLARE, and former Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush

Nancy Keegan Smith

Founding member and former president of FLARE, former Director of the Presidential Materials Staff at the National Archives, and former archivist at the Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum.

Together Carlin, McBride, and Smith are authors of "Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America's History-Making Women"

Alan Lowe:

Executive Director of the American Museum of Science and Energy and the Atomic History Campus at K-25 and former director of the Franklin Roosevelt, George W. Bush, and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Libraries and Museums.

Our American Roots Zoom Program

"First Ladies: Their Influence on Societal Change"

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 • 5:45 PM ET (4:45 PM CT)

Join on Zoom:

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American Museum of Science and Energy

115 E Main St

Oak Ridge, TN 37830

For a full list of all of our sponsors,
CLICK HERE

Upcoming programs:

First Ladies: Their Influence on Societal Change
Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 5 pm
American Museum of Science and Energy
115 E. Main St., Oak Ridge

Out of Many, One: The Immigrant’s Story
Thursday, April 16, 2026, 5:30 pm
Historic Grove Theater
123 Randolph Rd., Oak Ridge

What’s Next America: A Hopeful Question
Monday, May 11, 2026, 5:30 pm
Historic Grove Theater
123 Randolph Rd, Oak Ridge

Exploring the Ideas Shaping America

Our American Roots 2026,

The 4th Season - Program 2

"First Ladies: Their Influence on Societal Change"

PANEL:

Dr. Diana Carlin

Founding member and President of the First Ladies Association for Research and Education (FLARE) and Professor Emerita of Communication at Saint Louis University

Anita McBride

Executive-in Residence and founder of the First Ladies Initiatives at American University, founding member of FLARE, and former Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush

Nancy Keegan Smith

Founding member and former president of FLARE, former Director of the Presidential Materials Staff at the National Archives, and former archivist at the Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum.

Together Carlin, McBride, and Smith are authors of "Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America's History-Making Women"

Alan Lowe:

Executive Director of the American Museum of Science and Energy and the Atomic History Campus at K-25 and former director of the Franklin Roosevelt, George W. Bush, and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Libraries and Museums.

"First Ladies: Their Influence on Societal Change"

Sponsored By:

The "Our American Roots" Series is produced by:

The Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club

in partnership with the Oak Ridge Institute for Continued Learning (ORICL)

Provider of
venue & services:

For a full list of all of our sponsors,
CLICK HERE

Upcoming programs:

Exploring the Ideas Shaping America

Our American Roots 2026,

The 4th Season - Program 2

"First Ladies: Their Influence on Societal Change"

PANEL:

Dr. Diana Carlin Founding member and President of the First Ladies Association for Research and Education (FLARE) and Professor Emerita of Communication at Saint Louis University

Anita McBride Executive-in Residence and founder of the First Ladies Initiatives at American University, founding member of FLARE, and former Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush

Nancy Keegan Smith Founding member and former president of FLARE, former Director of the Presidential Materials Staff at the National Archives, and former archivist at the Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum.

Together Carlin, McBride, and Smith are authors of "Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America's History-Making Women"

Alan Lowe: Executive Director of the American Museum of Science and Energy and the Atomic History Campus at K-25 and former director of the Franklin Roosevelt, George W. Bush, and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Libraries and Museums.

"First Ladies: Their Influence on Societal Change"

Sponsored By:

The "Our American Roots" Series is produced by:

The Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club

in partnership with the Oak Ridge Institute for Continued Learning (ORICL)

Provider of venue & services:

For a full list of all of our sponsors, CLICK HERE

Upcoming programs:

Dr. Diana Carlin

Founding member and President of the First Ladies Association for Research and Education (FLARE) and Professor Emerita of Communication at Saint Louis University

Anita McBride

Executive-in Residence and founder of the First Ladies Initiatives at American University, founding member of FLARE, and former Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush

Nancy Keegan Smith

Founding member and former president of FLARE, former Director of the Presidential Materials Staff at the National Archives, and former archivist at the Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum.

Alan Lowe:

Executive Director of the American Museum of Science and Energy and the Atomic History Campus at K-25 and former director of the Franklin Roosevelt, George W. Bush, and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Libraries and Museums.

Provider of
venue & services:

For a full list of all of our sponsors,
CLICK HERE