When I was in seventh grade, I wrote a research paper on Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

I remember the 3×5 notecards.
The color-coded pens.
The library stacks.

…a nerd like me’s dream.

But what I remember most from this project was being fascinated by how Jackie carried herself.

Her composure.
Her steadiness.
Her character under unimaginable public pressure.

At thirteen, I couldn’t articulate it this way — but I was drawn to her character and moral leadership.

And now, as we begin Women’s History Month 2026, I find myself asking:

Who plays that role today?

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The Portrait on the Wall

There was a time when families displayed portraits of presidents in their homes.

Think about that.

An image of someone you’d never met just framed and hung alongside family photos.

It symbolized something. Trust. Belief. Shared values.

Today? I don’t know anyone with a presidential portrait hanging in their hallway.

So what changed?

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Fragmented Stories, Fragmented Values

In the 1950s and 60s, families watched the same few television channels. Cultural narratives were shared. Moral archetypes were consistent.

Today?

We don’t consume the same stories.
We don’t share the same information streams.
We live in algorithmic echo chambers.

Malcolm Gladwell talks about this in an episode of Revisionist History “When Will Met Grace” — how shared media once helped shape shared norms.

Now, we are fed content based on what keeps us engaged.

And what keeps us engaged?

Outrage.
Hot takes.
Fear.
Money.

Integrity rarely trends.

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The Trust Recession

We are living in what feels like a trust recession.

Institutions we once considered stable (government, media, religion, education) are being questioned. Sometimes rightfully so.

But distrust, when left unchecked, morphs into cynicism.

We approach conversations closed instead of curious.

We judge before we listen.

We dismiss leaders before examining nuance.

And yes…I admit to catching myself doing this too.

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So What Do We Do?

We reverse the lens.

Instead of looking outward for flawless figureheads, we need to turn inward.

We ask:

• What do I actually value?
• Am I living aligned with those values?
• What is the most loving thing I can do today?

We look for leaders who:

• Match actions to words
• Show up consistently
• Serve without ego
• Build relationships quietly
• Empower others

Often, these leaders are reluctant.

They don’t crave spotlight.
They just see something broken and choose to fix it.

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Women’s History Month Reimagined

This month, I’ll be introducing you to women who embody this quiet, grounded leadership.

They may not trend.
They may not dominate headlines.
But they are building communities.
Raising families.
Leading organizations.
Serving with integrity.

And that matters.

Because leadership isn’t about virality.

It’s about alignment.

And it starts inside you.

You are the greatest project you will ever work on.

Let’s begin there.

Episode 242 of The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth is now streaming on your favorite listening platform.