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Friends of the National World War II Memorial presents a Monthly Conference Series to learn more about the spirit of unity and shared purpose that defined the character of our country during World War II. This series of monthly half-day virtual conferences features discussions with WWII veterans, war orphans, published authors, and other experts. New York Times best-selling author and Friends' Resident Historian Alex Kershaw moderates the discussions after each presentation.
Register today, for free, to join this unique digital experience.
September - April
Third Saturday Monthly
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET
Christopher C. Gorham holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Tufts University, and Syracuse University College of Law, and his writing has been featured in prominent publications like the Washington Post and Literary Hub.
In this presentation, Christopher recounts the extraordinary career of Anna Rosenberg, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s special envoy during WWII, who played a pivotal but largely forgotten role in shaping critical U.S. policies such as the G.I. Bill and the Manhattan Project. Despite her modest immigrant background and high school education, she wielded immense influence as FDR’s trusted advisor, earning the nickname “Mrs. Fix-It.”
Richard B. Frank is an internationally recognized, award winning historian of the Asia Pacific War, 1937-1945. His latest work is Tower of Skulls, published by Norton in 2020.
President John F. Kennedy’s survival of the sinking of PT 109 proved a supreme measure of his leadership and a key element in his political rise. This thoughtful, well research examination reveals new facets and interpretations of the event.
Heather Dune Macadam is an acclaimed author and filmmaker known for her work on the stories of young women affected by the Holocaust. Through her writing and her leadership at the Rena’s Promise Foundation, Macadam has brought attention to the experiences of Holocaust survivors, with her work being recognized by organizations such as Yad Vashem and the USC Shoah Foundation.
Star-Crossed tells the true story of forbidden love between Jewish art student Annette Zelman and Catholic poet Jean Jausion in Nazi-occupied Paris, where their romance defies both their families’ objections and the growing threat of the Holocaust. Set against the backdrop of cultural resilience in the Latin Quarter, the couple finds temporary refuge among intellectuals like Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre. However, escalating persecution of Jews tragically separates them, offering a poignant insight into the horrors of the Holocaust and the enduring power of love.
The Friends of the National World War II Memorial’s education programs are generously supported by the Jack C. Taylor / Enterprise Rent-A-Car WWII Memorial Education Endowment.
