Anita McBride, Co-Chair of In Pursuit, Director of the First Ladies Initiative at American University, and former Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush, answers a few questions on the Constitution Day launch of In Pursuit, a new national initiative from More Perfect in partnership with digital media app Substack.

Q: Anita, for those who haven’t heard of it, what exactly is In Pursuit?  

A: In Pursuit is a new national civic education project that creates a “catalog of wisdom” for future generations. We’ve invited former presidents, first ladies, the Chief Justice, and leading historians and journalists to write essays on U.S. presidents and first ladies.  Each essay highlights a key lesson about their leadership in our democracy, showing how moments of triumph and challenge shaped the nation. It’s about asking: what lessons can we draw from the past and carry forward to help us build a more perfect union?  

Q: Why is this the right time for a project like this?  

A: The timing is deliberate. As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding in 2026, we have a chance to reflect on the values and ideals our nation was founded on. Announcing it on September 17th - Constitution Day - at American University felt especially fitting. AU has a deep commitment to fostering civil dialogue, and this initiative is about creating space for thoughtful, respectful conversations grounded in history. It’s about learning from the past in a way that helps us talk to each other about the future we want for our nation.  

Q: The contributor list is impressive. Who are some of the voices we’ll hear from?  

A: It’s really extraordinary. President Barack Obama is writing about Abraham Lincoln, President George W. Bush about George Washington, and President Bill Clinton about Theodore Roosevelt. Chief Justice John Roberts will reflect on William Howard Taft—the only person to serve as both president and chief justice. On the first ladies’ side, Michelle Obama is writing about Jackie Kennedy, Laura Bush about Lady Bird Johnson, and Hillary Clinton about Eleanor Roosevelt. We also have the voices of distinguished historians, scholars, journalists and thought leaders like Ken Burns, Jon Meacham, Judy Woodruff, Bret Baier and Annette Gordon-Reed.  It’s a diverse group of contributors, and each brings experience and perspective to the project.

Q: Substack is your publishing partner—how does that shape the project?  

A: Substack is the home for these essays, but also for the dialogue that comes with them. We didn’t want this to be a static collection of writings. On Substack, the essays will be paired with video interviews and we’re creating opportunities for engagement with readers across the country. We’ll also be hosting public events in 2026 with Substack’s support. The whole point is to make these reflections widely accessible to people of all ages and to spark meaningful conversations.  

Q: How do you see In Pursuit reaching beyond the essays themselves?  

A: Education is central. We’re working with iCivics and the Bill of Rights Institute to create lesson plans and videos drawn from the essays, so students can interact with these lessons in the classroom. We’ll also partner with state humanities councils, libraries, presidential centers, and community organizations to bring these discussions into communities across the country. The idea is to make this not just an initiative for scholars or policymakers, but for citizens everywhere.   

Q: What do you hope the bigger impact of In Pursuit will be?  

A: My hope is that it ignites robust interest in our country’s history and encourages thoughtful discussion about our nation’s future.  Our presidents and first ladies personify our history, and through their stories we can learn what we did right and what we did wrong—and use those lessons to better inform the future. The first essay, by President George W. Bush on George Washington, will launch on Presidents Day 2026. It’s a fitting start, reminding us of Washington’s decision to step down after two terms—a powerful lesson in democratic leadership.   

Ultimately, In Pursuit is about reflection, but also renewal. It’s designed to make history clear, accessible, and relevant for everyone from students to citizens of all ages.  Launching it at American University is a great example that college campuses are a place where sharing knowledge and the exchange of ideas is fundamental to civil dialogue. AU plays an important role in encouraging respect for different perspectives, engaging with history honestly, and finding common ground in our shared pursuit of a strong, thriving democracy.