This conversation is hosted in honor of Crystal Bridges’ free exhibition “We the People: The Radical Notion of Democracy” exploring the importance of the U.S. Constitution and free speech to democracy.

Joining the discussion will be Rick Waddell, retired lieutenant general in the United States Army Reserve and former assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Commander Susan Kilrain, NASA astronaut, distinguished Navy test pilot, and aerospace engineer.

Waddell is a semi-retired businessman, former government official and retired Army reservist. As a civilian government official, Waddell served as the director of the Capstone, Keystone and Pinnacle courses at National Defense University, then served as assistant to the president and deputy national security adviser in the Trump administration. Waddell served 12 years on active duty in the Army as a combat engineer, culminating as a director for Europe on the NSC in the Clinton administration. He is the first Army Reservist promoted to lieutenant general in a normally active-duty billet since Lt. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle, who served during World War II.

Kilrain is a renowned astronaut, a distinguished Navy test pilot and aerospace engineer, and a world traveler. She is the youngest person, and one of only three women, to pilot the space shuttle. Kilrain served 20 years in the Navy paving the path for women along the way. She has flown more than 3,000 flight hours in over 30 different aircraft, and she was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal. Kilrain flew as pilot of STS-83 and STS-94, spending more than 20 days in space. When not training for a space flight, she worked in Mission Control during the launches and landings for other space shuttle missions. She has also worked at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., in the offices of Safety and Legislative Affairs.

This program will be part of educational resources for teachers through ArkansasIDEAS. ArkansasIDEAS connects K-12 educators with quality, ADE-approved professional development and educational opportunities, as well as a wide range of trainings on multiple platforms, thousands of classroom resources, and state and national initiatives.

Crystal Bridges Lectures & Talks are sponsored by Del Monte Foods, Inc. “We the People: The Radical Notion of Democracy” is sponsored by Kenneth C. Griffin. Learning and engagement programming for “We the People: The Radical Notion of Democracy” is sponsored by: Scholastic Inc.; Walmart; Tyson Family Foundation; Sarah and Ross Perot, Jr. Foundation; Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates, & Woodyard, P.L.L.C.; Johnny and Jeanie Morris, Bass Pro Shops; Alturas Foundation; Harriet and Warren Stephens, Stephens Inc.; Sotheby’s; Bob and Becky Alexander; Marybeth and Micky Mayfield; Lamar and Shari Steiger; Jeff and Sarah Teague/Citizens Bank; Arkansas Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities; Avis and Bill Bailey; Scarlett and Neff Basore; June Carter Family; Terri and Chuck Erwin; Jackye and Curtis Finch; The Harrison and Rhonda French Family; Jim and Susan von Gremp; Laurice Hachem; Shannon and Charles Holley; Valorie and Randy Lawson/Lawco Energy Group; Donna and Mack McLarty; Steve and Susan Nelson; Neal and Gina Pendergraft; Helen Porter; JT and Imelda Rose; Lee and Linda Scott; Stella Boyle Smith Trust, Catherine and Michael Mayton, Trustees; and William Reese Company.

Additional information is available at crystalbridges.org.