Featured September 23, 2024 ‘Who is Government?’ Recognizing America’s unsung heroes with The Washington Post Back to Blog ‘This Is Your Government’: Author Casey Cep on why public service stories matter Date May 14, 2025 Authors Jordan Harris Tags Recognition Public Service Recognition Week is an opportunity to recognize the people who keep our country running—quietly, dependably and often invisibly. It is also a moment to reflect on what public service means and to share public service stories. Last week, the Partnership for Public Service hosted an event, “Who Is Government? A Conversation with Author Casey Cep,” that examined what good public service stories look like and why storytelling about civil servants matters today. The power of small stories The strongest public service stories do not always make headlines. For example, at a cemetery overseen by the National Cemetery Administration, a landscaper saw a woman struggling during a downpour to visit a loved one’s grave. Without hesitation, he removed his boots, gave them to her and stood beside her at the grave. It was not in his job description, but it was public service at its finest. Cep, who wrote a feature article about Ron Walters as part of The Washington Post’s “Who Is Government?” series, noted that Walters’ leadership is defined by his compassion and the commitment of the people he leads. Their quiet, human acts are what make his impact real. Too often, public servants believe their work is too ordinary to matter, but these types of moments hold communities together. Whether it’s caring for cemeteries, helping a library thrive or keeping families safe, public service work reflects a deep, often unseen, commitment to our country and its people. Telling these stories helps others understand what this service looks like and why it matters. Where government shows up Cep reflected on how her life has been shaped by government, from federal student aid that made college possible to Department of Agriculture services that supported her rural hometown to the public schools that gave her an education. Her examples served as a reminder that even though we do not always think of ourselves as “connected to government,” we often rely on it in deeply personal ways. To change the narrative about government, Cep emphasized the need for individuals to share these types of personal stories with different audiences. Why storytelling matters now Telling stories about public servants is critically important, given the ongoing and unprecedented efforts to undermine and attack the nonpartisan civil service. “We’re living through a moment of quiet, but serious, institutional loss,” said Partnership President and CEO Max Stier. “Skilled professionals are leaving the government. Programs are shrinking. Expertise is walking out the door.” The stories we tell can help the public understand why this loss matters for everyone. Most people, regardless of their political affiliation, want government to function well. That starts by showing what is already working and recognizing the people who quietly make it happen. event recording Title: Who Is Government? A Conversation with Author Casey Cep Date: May 6, 2025Speakers: Casey Cep, Garrett Graff, Max Stier For more stories of public service, read “Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service” and submit stories about civil servants who make a difference.
