From the White House to Wildflowers and More

A few notes from the “I could spend weeks and months here” file: This summer, I was fortunate enough to visit some of the Smithsonian museums. One of my favorites is the National Museum of American History, where you can see everything from Edison’s first light bulbs to Dorothy’s glittery red shoes from “The Wizard of Oz.” One of the exhibits that really captured my interest is the First Ladies gallery, a wonderful spot where you can learn about the contributions each of these ladies made to our nation. Some unique facts about our First Ladies:

• Dolley Madison was the first to make ice cream a regular dessert selection at White House dinners (who doesn’t love ice cream?).

• Abigail Filmore created the White House Library, which today holds over two million books (now that’s a reader’s paradise!).

This exhibit provides a brief glimpse into the lives of these notable women, and I've always wanted to learn more about them. What kind of upbringing did they have? Was living in the White House something they enjoyed? How did they see their legacy? To answer these questions, I've started on a journey to educate myself about them by reading their autobiographies, starting with Lady Bird Johnson. From her passions for wildflowers to volunteering, I can’t wait to learn about her life story.

To be sure, learning has no limits and can start at any age. As C.S. Lewis said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” Strengthening our minds is just as important as exercising and eating right. Such efforts can be as simple as reading a book or chatting with someone to learn about their life experiences.

Ever been curious about a new cause? By volunteering, you have the opportunity to learn about a specific nonprofit and see first-hand why others are passionate about their cause. Who knows, it just might spark a passion that you never knew you had. Let Give3600 help you start on a learning journey!