If God has gifted you to tell a good story, write a good book, or direct a good play, there will be opportunities for you. You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. Sadly, too often creativity is smothered rather than nurtured. There has to be a climate in which new ways of thinking, perceiving, questioning are encouraged. — Maya Angelou
American history is diverse, and there is still much that is not widely taught. A little-known site in Lorton, Virginia, is the former Workhouse Prison, now home to the Lucy Burns Museum. From 1917 to 1918, Lucy Burns and other suffragists were imprisoned there for picketing the White House in support of a constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote.
Today, the former prison cells remain visible, now filled with powerful works of art. The transformation of confinement into creativity is striking. Thanks to the courage of these women, generations of Americans can exercise the right to vote.
Among the artwork on display is a powerful painting honoring Ida B. Wells and confronting the evils of racism, a reminder that the struggle for justice has taken many forms across American history.
Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Duke Ellington also performed on site, adding another layer of cultural history to this remarkable place. There is much to explore at the Lucy Burns Museum. It is well worth a visit.
Places like the Lucy Burns Museum remind us that constitutional change often begins with ordinary citizens willing to endure extraordinary sacrifice. Civic progress rarely comes without courage. The right to vote, now taken for granted by many, was secured because individuals stood firm in the face of opposition. History is not only something to study. It is something to learn from.
Are there perfect human beings? No. Can a gathering of imperfect human beings create a perfect union? No. But the key word in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution is “more.” We are constantly striving toward the ideal of a more perfect Union—a nation stronger, fairer, and more united.
This Fourth of July, let us reflect on that enduring aspiration. May we work together to uphold the principles of liberty, justice, and equality, not only on national holidays but every day.
A special thanks goes to the courageous men and women who sacrifice daily to serve the United States of America, both in uniform and through acts of public service. Your dedication helps us inch closer to the ideal of a more perfect Union.
This rose symbolizes our gratitude, respect, and shared commitment to building a better future for all.
During this period of Ramadan I wanted to reflect on the importance of faith, family, and respect for one another. We are all, after all, brothers and sisters in this journey of life. Happy Ramadan! Sharing a quote we like and a family photo. Stay blessed and healthy.
“When the world pushes you to your knees, you’re in the perfect position to pray.” – Rumi
Ken Reiman is a diplomat, author, and global affairs speaker whose work reflects faith, leadership, and lived international experience.