Prominent conservative columnist and author Peggy Noonan joined the 61´«Ã½ community for a lively talk February 6 on the presidency and the gendered nature of politics. It struck quite a chord with the student body, which she described as “devilishly brilliant” and “well-furnished intellectually.”
“As a conservative woman, it was refreshing to hear from another conservative-minded woman,” says Lauren Siems ’14. Siems is a member of the Elizabeth Hubert Malott Public Affairs Program planning committee, which seeks out conservative speakers for the annual Elizabeth Hubert Malott Public Affairs Program..
Past speakers include Charles Krauthammer and David Brooks, also nationally known for their political commentary, but Noonan brought a unique perspective to the festivities – her experiences with five U.S. presidents. Noonan also participated in a student discussion before the public lecture.
Noonan has written a weekly column for the Wall Street Journal since 2000 and has penned eight books focusing on American politics, history, culture, and cooperative government. She boasts a long resume of Washington, D.C. experience, having served as special assistant to Ronald Reagan from 1984-1986, and speechwriter for George H.W. Bush during his presidential campaign.
Her extensive experience was a major draw for Jacqulin Givelber ’17. “It was very satisfying to hear from someone with experience in Washington,” she says. “[Noonan] was uninhibited in sharing her opinions on how the government is working.”
In the student discussion, Noonan focused on the traits of leadership. “It all comes down to character,” she said. Leaders must “have the courage to do what you know is right even though it will cost you.” Addressing the gender divide in politics, Noonan argued male and female leaders need the same traits, but female leaders often receive different kinds of criticism than male leaders, most often criticism that is sexually denigrating rather than directly job-related.
“I asked if she was a feminist, and she said that she hasn’t been able to answer that question for four decades,” says Aidan Harley ’16. “But the discussion here was the most articulate expression of feminism that she’s seen.”
To an ample Garrison Theater audience, Noonan talked at length about the strengths and weaknesses of the most recent United States presidents based on personal experience in and around the White House. An engaged crowd listened as she spoke on the presidencies from Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama, peppering her talk with anecdotes and jokes.
