Join us for an unforgettable evening with Drew Gilpin Faust, historian, trailblazing first woman president of Harvard, and author of Necessary Trouble: Growing Up at Midcentury. In this deeply personal memoir, Faust reflects on coming of age in the South during the civil rights and antiwar movements—moments of upheaval and transformation that echo powerfully in today’s political climate. As democracy is tested, rights are debated, and activism surges anew, Faust’s story reminds us that young voices—and necessary trouble—can shape the future. Don’t miss this chance to hear from one of the most influential scholars of our time as she connects the past to our urgent present.

Wine and cheese will be served and Dr. Faust will do a book signing following the conversation.

*Note: when purchasing tickets, you can select the option to either pay now or pay at the door. We recommend paying now in order to secure your spot. You do not need to enter your address in order to submit the registration form.

About the speakerDrew Gilpin Faust is the Arthur Kingsley Porter University Research Professor at Harvard, where she served as president from 2007-2018. Faust previously served as founding dean of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study (2001-2007). Before coming to Radcliffe, she was the Annenberg Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania.  She is the author of seven books, including most recently, Necessary Trouble, Growing Up at Midcentury, published in August 2023. Her earlier book, This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War (2008), was a finalist for the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize and was awarded the Bancroft Prize, the New-York Historical Society’s American History Book Prize, and recognized by The New York Times as one of the “Ten Best Books of 2008.” This Republic of Suffering is the basis for a 2012 Emmy-nominated episode of the PBS American Experience documentaries titled Death and the Civil War, directed by Ric Burns.

Faust’s honors include awards in 1982 and 1996 for distinguished teaching at the University of Pennsylvania. She was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1994, the Society of American Historians in 1993, and the American Philosophical Society in 2004. In September of 2018 she was awarded the John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity by the Library of Congress. She received her bachelor’s degree from Bryn Mawr in 1968, magna cum laude with honors in history, and master’s (1971) and doctoral (1975) degrees in American civilization from the University of Pennsylvania. She and her husband live in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Wine and cheese will be served. Following her conversation, Dr. Faust will do a book signing for any interested attendees.

About the moderator
Sallie Craig Huber is a long-time Newton resident and both a member and volunteer at Newton at Home. Sallie Craig’s life through college roughly paralleled that of Drew Gilpin Faust including her graduation from an all-women’s college in the same year. Sallie Craig chose to focus on public health in the global south where her career allowed her the great privilege of working in nearly 40 countries. In retirement, she co-leads one of Newton at Home’s two long running book groups.

*100% of the proceeds for this event will go to supporting Newton at Home's efforts to provide transportation, in-home support services, and social, cultural & educational activities for seniors in Newton.

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