Hidden in Plain Sight - Family Secrets and American History

Explore the hidden histories of American families and their impact on broader historical narratives in this thought-provoking panel discussion from the Radcliffe Institute. Delve into questions about knowledge preservation, untold stories, and the complexities of family secrets with renowned authors Gail Lumet Buckley, Alice Echols, Susan Faludi, and Alex Wagner. Moderated by Annette Gordon-Reed, the conversation examines how uncovering family histories can reshape our understanding of American history. Learn about diverse topics including African American family experiences from the Civil War to Civil Rights, hidden banking histories, gender identity exploration, and the quest for belonging. Engage with the panelists' insights during the discussion and audience Q&A sessions, gaining a deeper appreciation for the intricate connections between personal family narratives and the larger tapestry of American history.

Gail Lumet Buckley '59 , author, The Black Calhouns: From Civil War to Civil Rights with One African American Family Atlantic Monthly Press, 2016
Alice Echols , author, Shortfall: Family Secrets, Financial Collapse, and a Hidden History of American Banking The New Press, 2017
Susan Faludi ’81, RI ’09 , author, In the Darkroom Metropolitan Books, 2016
Alex Wagner , author, Futureface: A Family Mystery, an Epic Quest, and the Secret to Belonging One World, forthcoming
Jane Kamensky , Carl and Lily Pforzheimer Foundation Director, Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, Radcliffe Institute, and professor of history, Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences
PANEL DISCUSSION
AUDIENCE Q&A