Why History Still Matters

When I walked into the NAR conference last week, I had never heard the name Doris Kearns Goodwin. As she was introduced, an 83-year-old woman walked onto the stage with a big smile on her face. Her bright purple blazer perfectly matched her eclectic, colorful pleated skirt, and she completed the outfit with black platform tennis shoes. I had no idea what to expect, and I certainly didn’t realize we were in for such a treat.

She began sharing stories from her life as a presidential historian. Her love of writing and details began when she was a little girl. Her father would ask her to listen to baseball games on the radio and write down every play so he could read about it when he got home from work. She didn’t realize it at the time, but he was nurturing a gift. Little did she know, he probably could have read about the game in the newspaper the next day. Instead, he was teaching his daughter how to observe, remember, and tell a story.

That love of history and writing eventually led her to work for President Lyndon B. Johnson. She later married Richard N. Goodwin, who served as a speechwriter for Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. In fact, he helped draft President Johnson’s address to the nation following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I held onto every word and honestly didn’t want her speech to end. I don’t think I have ever been so engrossed by a speaker. She was sassy, elegant, eloquent, and incredibly knowledgeable. I have always loved history, but she brought it to life in a way that made it feel personal and meaningful. These weren’t stories from a textbook. They were stories she had lived.

Her biggest message was simple but powerful: we have to look back at history if we want to move forward. By understanding the past, we can learn from mistakes, appreciate progress, and continue making positive changes instead of repeating the same failures.

History Shapes Homeownership

As REALTORS®, we spend a lot of time looking ahead. We help buyers plan for the future, sellers prepare for the next chapter, and families build wealth through homeownership. But listening to Doris reminded me that some of the opportunities we enjoy today were hard fought and are relatively recent.

She lived through the Civil Rights Movement and witnessed the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968. Those changes expanded opportunities and reaffirmed the belief that everyone deserves equal access to housing. Homeownership has always been about more than houses. It represents stability, opportunity, and the ability to build a future.

Why Being Informed Matters

One of the things I admire most about history is that it teaches us perspective. We often think the challenges we face today are unprecedented, but history reminds us that previous generations faced difficult times too. Their stories can teach us resilience, leadership, and the importance of working together.

I’ve always believed that part of being a good REALTOR® is staying educated and informed. Whether it’s understanding market trends, legislation, or the history that shaped our profession, knowledge helps us better serve the people who trust us with one of the biggest decisions of their lives.

My Biggest Takeaway

I walked into that room expecting another speaker. Instead, I walked away inspired.

Doris Kearns Goodwin reminded me that history isn’t just about dates and events. It’s about people. It’s about stories. It’s about learning from those who came before us so that we can become better leaders, better neighbors, and better citizens.

Most importantly, she reminded me that progress doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because people stay informed, stay involved, and continue striving to leave things better than they found them.

And perhaps that’s why history still matters.

Because understanding where we’ve been helps us appreciate how far we’ve come and guides us toward where we’re going.

Before last week, I had never heard the name Doris Kearns Goodwin. I walked into the room expecting another speaker and walked out with a deeper appreciation for history and the people who lived it. Her stories reminded me that history isn’t just found in books. It’s found in people. And if we take the time to listen, we may learn something that helps us leave the world a little better than we found it.