Carter and others leave a legacy of courage in leadership

On the ride to Union Station, we quizzed her. “He was the 39th president. He was a peanut farmer. He built houses for people who didn’t have houses.” She made a quizzical face, trying to remember something else about a man she had never met. We climbed the escalator to the icy sidewalk above and made our way to the United States Capitol Rotunda to pay our respects to President Jimmy Carter as he lay in state.

My daughter is only 10, but she knew WHY we were going — she has an advanced perspective on the role of government in shaping our daily lives. Her first rally arrived before her first birthday, a raucous affair in Vets Memorial during the run-up to the 2016 election. She has a clear understanding of the process by which we elect our leaders, what they do on a local, national, and international level, and why your campaign signs should bear the union bug. We have spoken at length about leadership, and how important it is to use your influence to do the right thing — even when it’s scary, even when it’s hard, even when nobody is watching.

We were going because President Carter spent his life exemplifying the kind of leadership we hope our children will emulate.

These sentiments were echoed by statements from elected officials and public figures across political ideologies. In a turn from the vitriol that has plagued political discourse at a fever pitch in the lead-up to and in the wake up our most recent presidential election, memorial commentary across the board has heralded Carter as a giant, a servant leader, and a person who walked his talk.

A few months ago, I wrote a column about Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ break with party solidarity to follow her gut — to do what she believed was right, despite the personal consequences she may face. I received a few disgruntled messages in response to this column, some from Republicans disappointed in her choice to vote with her conscience, others from Democrats disappointed that I would call attention to positive leadership qualities on the part of a Republican elected official.

When did it become taboo to acknowledge the actions of a leader who does the right thing? Ideally, our leaders would prioritize the long-term improvement of our society over their own personal, short — term gain. This farsighted perspective is disincentivized by quick repercussions from a constituency that can and will turn on you quickly, especially during a time when so many are living in survival mode and for whom the issues that feel most important are the day-to-day immediate needs.

It does our collective good no favors to further decrease the benefit of leaders acting with integrity by refusing to acknowledge the value in their actions.

There are abundant examples in history of leaders who chose the harder path of integrity and were ultimately recognized for their courage. Sen. Margaret Chase Smith’s “Declaration of Conscience” during the McCarthy era stands out as a shining moment of bravery. She risked her career to denounce the hysteria of the Red Scare and advocate for the basic principles of democracy and fairness. At the time, her speech was met with backlash, but history remembers her as a voice of reason during a dark chapter of fear and intimidation.

Similarly, President Gerald Ford’s controversial decision to pardon Richard Nixon was an act of political self-sacrifice. Ford believed it was the right choice to help the nation heal, even though it likely cost him re-election. Decades later, historians have reassessed the decision as a demonstration of leadership focused on the country's long-term stability rather than his own political fortunes.

More recently, Liz Cheney’s role in the Jan. 6 hearings has been a powerful example of acting on principle over party loyalty. Facing significant personal and political backlash, Cheney’s leadership highlighted the importance of upholding democratic norms, even at great personal cost. She has become a symbol of integrity for many Americans who value democracy over partisanship.

True leadership often requires making difficult, unpopular decisions for the greater good. Celebrating such moments of integrity not only honors those who have led with courage but also sets an example for current and future leaders to follow.

My youngest is coming of age in a time when integrity in leadership is more desperately needed than ever; like most parents, I know that she will need more examples of how to lead a courageous life to serve as a guiding light.

Before we left the Capitol, we stopped to write a message in one of the remembrance books filled with well wishes and parting thoughts. The line to enter the building, two blocks long when we arrived, now snaked down the street hours later. The doors would remain open until midnight, welcoming both those who remember and our wide-eyed children learning through legend. The legacy of decency in leadership inspires the next generation to dream bigger, act braver, and lead with kindness and courage. That is a legacy worth celebrating.

Sofia DeMartino is a Gazette editorial fellow. sofia.demartino@thegazette.com