The phrase “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave” comes from The Star-Spangled Banner, written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812. Over time, these words–freedom and bravery–have become hallmarks of America’s identity, reflecting the nation’s ideals of liberty and courage. Yet, the journey to embody these values has been complex and, often, contradicts the common perception that our freedom comes thanks to the bravery of some special individual’s bravery. Authentic progress, though, is rarely the work of one hero but entire movements exerting collective courage. In this first le