1600 Stewart Drive, Lawrence, KS 66045

Free Event

To accommodate additional guests, the Dole Institute is moving this event to the Lied Center of Kansas—a performing arts venue next door to the Institute. Free tickets are still required to attend this event. Guests wishing to attend can click the button above to claim free tickets. Seating is first-come, first served.

 

Please review the all information at the bottom of this page regarding attending this event. If you have questions that are not answered on this page, please contact the Dole Institute at doleinstitute@ku.edu or (785) 864-4900.

 
Sharon McMahon, New York Times Bestselling author and educator, will be honored at the seventh Elizabeth Dole Women in Leadership Lecture on February 6 at 7 p.m. CST. McMahon will be honored for her leadership in redefining how we communicate—by turning confusion into clarity, inspiring change, and teaching others about how to take action. She’ll join Dole Institute Director Audrey Coleman for an interview on her approach to civic education and her journey to becoming “America’s Government Teacher” in the era of social media.

 

A free ticket is required to attend this event. The online ticket portal will open on Tuesday, January 28 at 10 a.m. CST. Learn more about claiming your ticket below.

 

Limited copies of Sharon’s book, The Small and the Mighty, will be available for purchase at this event. She’ll also be available to sign copies following the program.

 

About the Elizabeth Dole Women in Leadership Lecture

Named in honor of former U.S. Senator Elizabeth Hanford Dole, the series recognizes her long-lasting career in public service by featuring women who break barriers, make significant contributions to their field, and reach positions of leadership. Dole held various positions throughout her career, including serving as commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Labor, President of the American Red Cross, and U.S. Senator representing North Carolina. After leaving office, she founded the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, which supports our nation’s military caregivers and their families.

 

This program is presented in partnership with the Lawrence Public Library

 

About Sharon McMahon

#1 New York Times bestselling author, educator, and host of the chart-topping podcast Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, Sharon McMahon is redefining how we communicate, by turning confusion into clarity, inspiring change, and teaching others how to take action by doing the next needed thing.

 

A former high school government and law teacher, Sharon became known as “America’s Government Teacher” during the 2020 election for her viral efforts to combat political misinformation. Her knack for breaking down complex topics with clarity, humor, and a steadfast commitment to facts has attracted a community of over one and a half million followers—affectionately called the “Governerds.”

 

Sharon’s newsletter, The Preamble, is one of the largest publications on Substack, providing historical context and non-partisan insights to help readers navigate today’s political landscape. Her debut book, The Small and the Mighty, has been celebrated as one of the year’s top reads by Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Goodreads, highlighting the unsung heroes who shaped America.

 

Beyond education, Sharon leads philanthropic initiatives that have raised over $11 million to address critical needs, from medical debt relief to disaster recovery. She inspires audiences with a message of hope: history shows us that even small actions can create powerful change.

 

Attending this event

A free ticket is required to attend this event. Guests wishing to attend can click the button below to claim free tickets through the KU Events Calendar. Once you complete your registration, a ticket will be issued to the email address(es) provided.

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Should you be unable to claim tickets, you can stream this program for free on the Dole Institute’s YouTube channel.

 

Getting to the Lied Center

The Lied Center of Kansas (1600 Stewart Dr. Lawrence, KS 66045) is located next door to the Dole Institute of Politics. Free parking is available in Lots 300A-D after 5 p.m. Accessible parking spots are available throughout the parking lots in rows closest to the building.

 

Doors to the Lied Center will open at 6 p.m. Guests must enter through the Main Entrance (south side of the building). Be prepared to show your ticket to staff at the building or auditorium entrances.

 

Accessibility at the Lied Center

The Lied Center has barrier-free entrances and designated accessible seating areas in the auditorium. If you need to reserve an accessible seat, please contact the Dole Institute at doleinstitute@ku.edu or calling (785) 864-4900.

 

The Lied Center’s auditorium also features a hearing loop system that can be accessed via T-Coil. Individuals without compatible devices can access the loop system with headsets provided by the Lied Center. More information on accessibility at the Lied Center can be found on their website.

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