Blog 2- Madelay Cabrera Ravelo

Blog Post 2 – Changemakers Presentation Reflection

Changemakers are individuals who help create positive change in society. My name is Madelay Cabrera Ravelo, and in this blog I will share what I learned from the changemakers presentations in my Public Speaking class. Listening to my classmates helped me learn about many historical figures who influenced society and worked to improve people’s lives. Each group presented changemakers from different time periods, including the authors of the Constitution, leaders from the 1800s, influential figures from the 1900s, and modern changemakers from the 2000s to the present.Before these presentations, I did not realize how many individuals throughout history have contributed to democracy, equality, healthcare, and scientific progress. Listening to the different presentations helped me understand that change can happen in many different ways and in many different fields. Some changemakers influence society through politics, others through science, healthcare, or activism. However, they all share the goal of improving people’s lives and creating opportunities for others.Another important idea I learned from these presentations is that change does not happen easily. Many changemakers faced challenges and criticism before their ideas were accepted. Some of them even risked their safety or freedom in order to stand up for what they believed was right. Despite these obstacles, they continued working toward their goals and did not give up. This shows how perseverance, courage, and dedication are essential qualities for anyone who wants to improve society.

Constitution Authors – Group 1

Group 1 talked about some of the most important leaders in early American history. These included James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Roger Sherman, George Mason, and George Washington. These individuals played a major role in creating the political system of the United States and building the foundation of the American government.

One of the leaders that stood out to me was James Madison. Madison helped design the structure of the U.S. Constitution and supported the idea of dividing power between different branches of government. This system created the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The purpose of this system is to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. Even today, this system of checks and balances continues to be an important part of the United States government.

Another interesting leader was Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was not only involved in politics but also made contributions to science and diplomacy. He helped negotiate alliances with other countries during the American Revolution and played a key role in the development of the new nation. Learning about Franklin reminded me that leaders can influence society in many different ways.This group helped me understand how important leadership, cooperation, and compromise were when creating the United States government. Even though these leaders had different opinions and perspectives, they worked together to create a system that would protect citizens’ rights and freedoms.

Changemakers of the 1800s – Group 2

Group 2 talked about important changemakers from the 1800s. This period in history included many social and economic changes. Some of the individuals discussed were Frederick Douglass, Florence Nightingale, Clara Barton, Andrew Carnegie, and John D. Rockefeller.

One of the most inspiring figures presented was Frederick Douglass. Douglass escaped from slavery and later became a powerful voice for freedom and equality. Through his speeches and writings, he exposed the cruelty of slavery and fought for the rights of African Americans. His courage and determination helped bring attention to important issues related to justice and human rights.

Another person that stood out to me was Florence Nightingale. She played a major role in improving healthcare and hospital conditions. Nightingale believed that proper hygiene, organization, and patient care were essential for saving lives. Because of her work, hospitals became cleaner and safer, and her ideas helped create modern nursing practices.

Clara Barton was also very impressive. She founded the American Red Cross and dedicated her life to helping people during wars and natural disasters. Her compassion and leadership helped provide medical care and assistance to people in need.

From this group, I learned that changemakers can improve society in many different ways. Some focus on social justice, others focus on healthcare, and others contribute through economic development and industry.

Changemakers of the 1900s – Group 4

Group 4 presented changemakers from the 1900s. This century included major social movements, scientific advancements, and political changes. Some of the leaders discussed were Martin Luther King Jr., Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Nelson Mandela, Jonas Salk, and Betty Friedan.

Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most important leaders of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Through peaceful protests and powerful speeches, he fought against racial segregation and discrimination. His famous speech, “I Have a Dream,” continues to inspire people around the world. His leadership showed how peaceful activism can help create social change.

Another important leader discussed was Nelson Mandela. Mandela fought against apartheid in South Africa and spent many years in prison because of his beliefs. Despite these challenges, he later became president of South Africa and helped promote peace and equality. His story shows the importance of resilience, forgiveness, and determination.

Jonas Salk also made a major contribution to society by developing the polio vaccine. What impressed me the most was that he decided not to patent the vaccine because he believed it should be available to everyone. This decision helped save millions of lives around the world.

These examples demonstrate that changemakers can influence society through activism, science, politics, and law. Their courage and dedication helped improve the lives of many people.

Modern Changemakers – 2000s to Present (Group 3)

Group 3, which was my group, presented modern changemakers from the 2000s to the present. The individuals we discussed were Barack Obama, Vivek Murthy, Ketanji Brown Jackson, George W. Bush, Stacey Abrams, Alejandro Mayorkas, and Sonia Sotomayor. These leaders have influenced society through politics, law, healthcare, and public service. Even though they work in different areas, their actions have helped shape modern society and address important issues.

Barack Obama was one of the most influential leaders discussed. He became the first African American president of the United States and inspired many people around the world. During his presidency, he focused on issues such as healthcare reform, economic recovery, and creating more opportunities for many communities.

Another leader presented was Vivek Murthy, who served as the Surgeon General of the United States. His work focuses on public health issues, including mental health awareness and improving communication about health risks in society.

We also talked about Ketanji Brown Jackson, who became the first Black woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court. Her appointment represents an important milestone for diversity and representation in the American judicial system.

Another changemaker discussed was Stacey Abrams, who is known for her work protecting voting rights and encouraging civic participation in the United States.

For my part of the presentation, I talked about Alejandro Mayorkas, the Secretary of Homeland Security. In my research, I learned that his role focuses on national security, immigration systems, and protecting the country from different threats. His work is important because the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for coordinating many agencies that help protect the United States. Learning about his responsibilities helped me understand how government leaders make decisions that affect millions of people.

Finally, our group also presented Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina justice on the United States Supreme Court. Her appointment was an important moment for diversity in the judicial system and representation of different communities in government.

Working on this presentation helped me learn more about modern leaders and how their decisions continue to influence society today. Even though presenting in front of the class can be a little stressful, I felt proud of the work my group completed and the information we shared with our classmates.

In conclusion, the changemakers presentations helped me understand how one person can make a big difference in society. Listening to my classmates helped me learn about many important individuals from different time periods who worked to improve people’s lives. Some of these changemakers influenced society through politics and the creation of laws, others through science and medical discoveries, and others through activism and the fight for equality and justice. Even though they lived in different centuries and had different professions, they all shared the same goal of creating positive change and helping society progress. Before these presentations, I did not fully realize how many people throughout history have contributed to the freedoms, opportunities, and rights that we have today. Many of the changemakers that were presented dedicated their lives to improving the conditions of others and making the world a better place. Learning about these individuals helped me understand that progress in society does not happen by accident. It happens because people are willing to stand up for their beliefs, work hard, and continue fighting for change even when the process is slow and difficult. Another important idea that I learned from these presentations is that change does not happen easily. Many changemakers faced criticism, discrimination, and many challenges before their ideas were accepted by society. Some of them risked their careers, their reputation, and sometimes even their safety in order to defend what they believed was right. Despite these obstacles, they continued working toward their goals and did not give up. Their determination and courage helped create important changes that benefited future generations.These presentations also helped me understand that changemakers can appear in many different areas of society. Some focus on politics and government, others on science and healthcare, and others on social movements and human rights. Each one contributes in a unique way to improving society. This shows that change can come from many different directions and that everyone has the potential to contribute in their own way.Listening to my classmates’ presentations was also very interesting because it allowed me to learn from different perspectives. Each group explained the life and impact of different historical figures, and through their research we were able to see how these individuals influenced society. It made the presentations more engaging and helped me understand the importance of learning about history and the people who shaped it.Overall, this activity helped me reflect on the importance of leadership, courage, and perseverance. The changemakers we learned about show that even one person can have a powerful impact on society when they are committed to improving the lives of others. Their actions helped create the society we live in today and continue to inspire new generations.After listening to these presentations.I feel more inspired to think about the role that individuals can play in creating positive change. These changemakers remind us that progress often begins with people who are willing to challenge problems, work toward solutions, and believe that a better future is possible. Their stories show that everyone has the ability to make a difference, and that positive change starts with the actions and ideas of individuals who care about improving the world.