Aliya Jones blog 2

 

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For our next class speech each group had to select a time period and a changemaker from that era. When the idea of studying changemakers was introduced I felt excited because I knew the assignment would be both interesting and meaningful particularly since it seems like we are living more for ourselves and less as a community in today's society. So learning about people who have worked to improve society for others offered a different viewpoint. A changemaker, in my opinion, is someone who identifies an issue or injustice and acts to bring about constructive change. Changemakers have a lasting impression on their communities and motivate others to make a difference, whether via leadership, creativity, advocacy, or bravery.

The first group to present focused on the 1700s. Out of all the time periods, this was the one I was least familiar with, which made it the most interesting and engaging for me. Before beginning their presentation, the group shared an Ai generated video that introduced the period of the 1700s. I thought this was a creative and effective way to capture the audience's attention and make the information easier to connect with from the start.

Group 4's presentation was both informative and engaging because this presentation showed how many different people contributed to shaping society during the 1700s. Each speaker presented a unique perspective, which made the presentation both interesting and easy to follow.

One figure the speech was focused on was John Locke. While I had learned about him previously in school, this presentation served as a powerful reminder of his monumental impact. His  view on natural rights, government by consent, and the social contract  helped set the foundations of today's democracy. Important American writings like the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were directly influenced by his belief  that people are born with rights that governments must uphold.

I also liked the speech on Crispus Attucks whose death during the Boston Massacre served as a motivator for colonial resistance and a symbol of defiance against British control. I was especially interested because of his role at that time.He was an African and Native American man who is often considered the first person to die defending American independence. But many Native Americans and African Americans at the time did not enjoy the same freedoms and rights that the Revolution sought to protect.

The other figures who were mentioned were  Abigail Adams and Mary Wollstonecraft. I found them meaningful because of their stance on women rights and the opportunity to have equal access to education. Their stance inspired future generations to continue to fight for equality .

Benjamin Franklin's presentation  also stood out to me because of the wide range of contributions. He was a jack of all trades His achievements range from scientist /inventor, ,writer, diplomat , civic leader and a Founding Father.  To me  he is the embodiment of a change maker because of the many different ways he had an impact . My favorite invention from him is  the bifocals.

Next up was group three they did the 1800s out of all groups. I think their creativity was the best. Not only was it cohesive in design it also went in theme it look like an old  newspapers

They discussed Dorothea Dix, the negative stigma associated with mental illness, and how she traveled around the country collecting data and promoting improved care and state-funded mental health facilities. Her efforts demonstrated how one individual may raise awareness of a problem that many choose to overlook especially for a community that is misinterpreted   . Nellie Bly was a change maker who also focused on mental health but on institutions to expose the abuse .She  put herself in difficult situations to reveal the truth at her own distress this helped bring  attention to the issue and transformed journalism.

I also found the presentation about Harriet Tubman inspiring because she help others gain freedom. She repeatedly returned to help others through the underground railroad  despite knowing the risk. I would like to think that if I was in her situation I would also go back and help.

As for  group 2 they did  the 1900s. The  presentations about Princess Diana and Hedy Lamarr stood out to me the most. Although they were famous for different reasons, both women used their influence to make a positive impact on the world.

Princess Diana inspired me because of her compassion and humanitarian work. She brought attention to important issues such as AIDS, homelessness, and landmine victims at a time when many people ignored these problems. Her kindness and willingness to connect with people from all backgrounds made her a role model for millions. So much so that she was named the people princess. I really admired her and loved this presentation.

Hedy Lamarr was really interesting because she was not only a successful actress but also an inventor. I learned that she helped develop frequency hopping technology, which later became an important foundation for modern wireless communication systems such as wi-fi and bluetooth and GPS. Despite her achievements, she was not fully recognized for her inventions until much later in life.

The last group was our group, and our topic was changemakers from the 2000s. I think all of my group members did a great job presenting. Because we had more time to prepare, everyone seemed more confident during their speeches, which made the presentation less stressful and more enjoyable. I also liked how this project required creativity, especially when designing the poster for our group. Creating the visuals helped make the presentations more engaging and interesting. I learned a lot from researching Nancy Pelosi. She is a powerful leader who achieved many important accomplishments throughout her career. She helped shape healthcare, the economy, and and broke barriers for what  women can  achieve  in government.Overall, this project was both educational and fun.

I also enjoyed the team leader' introductions for each time period. They explained the major events, culture, and important changes that occurred during each century, which helped provide background for the changemakers. Their introductions made the presentations more interesting and helped me better understand the historical context.