Blog 2- Madelay Cabrera Ravelo

 

Blog post 2: Monica Medina 

Learning From Changemakers: Reflections on Our Class Presentations

March 10, 2026

Hello everyone! My name is Monica, and in this blog, I want to share my thoughts and reflections about the Changemakers presentations that we did in our Public Speaking class. This project was very interesting because every group focused on different historical periods and the important people who helped shape democracy and society. Listening to all the presentations helped me learn many new things about history and about how individuals can make a real difference in the world.

Each group talked about changemakers from a different time period. Group 1 focused on the authors of the Constitution, Group 2 presented important figures from the 1800s, Group 3 talked about modern changemakers from the 2000s to the present, and Group 4 presented influential people from the 1900s. Even though these individuals lived in different centuries, they all had one thing in common: they helped create positive change and improve society in their own way.

Constitution Authors – Group 1

The first group 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 people played a huge role in creating the government system that the United States still uses today.

One of the people I found most interesting was James Madison because he helped design the structure of the U.S. government. He supported the idea of having three branches of government so that power would be balanced. This system of checks and balances is still very important today because it prevents any one branch from having too much power.

Benjamin Franklin was also very interesting because he was not only a political leader but also an inventor and diplomat. I already knew some things about him before, but I did not realize how much he contributed to the early development of the country.

Learning about these leaders made me realize that building a nation requires teamwork and compromise. Even though these people had different ideas and opinions, they worked together to create something that would last for generations.

Changemakers of the 1800s – Group 2

The second group talked about important changemakers from the 1800s. This was a time when the United States was growing and going through many social and economic changes. Some of the people presented were Frederick Douglass, John Brown, Florence Nightingale, Clara Barton, Andrew Carnegie, and John D. Rockefeller.

One of the most inspiring figures for me was Frederick Douglass. His story is very powerful because he escaped slavery and later became a strong voice for freedom and equality. He believed strongly in education and used his voice to fight for the rights of others.

Another person that stood out to me was Florence Nightingale. She helped improve hospital conditions and emphasized the importance of hygiene and proper care for patients. Because of her work, modern nursing practices became much safer and more organized.

Clara Barton was also very impressive because she founded the American Red Cross. Her dedication to helping people during wars and disasters shows how compassion and leadership can truly save lives.

From this group, I learned that changemakers can improve society in many different ways. Some fight for social justice, others help improve healthcare, and others contribute through economic and industrial growth.

                                       

Changemakers of the 1900s – Group 4

The next group presented changemakers from the 1900s. This century was full of major changes, including civil rights movements, scientific progress, and social reforms. Some of the individuals discussed were Alice Paul, Martin Luther King Jr., Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Nelson Mandela, Jonas Salk, and Betty Friedan.

Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most powerful figures from this time. His leadership in the civil rights movement helped bring attention to racial injustice in the United States. His famous speech, “I Have a Dream,” is still remembered today and continues to inspire people around the world.

Nelson Mandela was also a very important leader who fought against apartheid in South Africa. After many years in prison, he continued to work for peace and unity in his country. His story shows the importance of forgiveness and resilience.

Another person who made a huge impact was Jonas Salk, who developed the polio vaccine. What impressed me the most was that he chose not to patent the vaccine because he believed it should be available to everyone. This decision helped save millions of lives.

These changemakers showed that fighting for equality, justice, and scientific progress requires courage and determination.

Modern Changemakers – 2000s to Present (Group 3)

Group 3 was my group, and we presented changemakers from the 2000s to the present. Our group talked about several important modern leaders, including Barack Obama, Vivek Murthy, Ketanji Brown Jackson, George W. Bush, Stacey Abrams, Alejandro Mayorkas, and Sonia Sotomayor. Preparing this presentation helped me learn much more about these individuals and their impact on society today.

One of the changemakers I presented was Stacey Abrams, who is known for her work protecting voting rights and encouraging civic participation. She helped raise awareness about voter suppression and worked to increase voter registration, especially among communities that have historically been underrepresented. Learning about her work made me realize how important it is for people to participate in democracy and protect the right to vote.

Another important leader we discussed was Barack Obama, who became the first African American president of the United States. His presidency focused on expanding healthcare access, improving economic stability, and promoting equality. His leadership continues to inspire many people today.

We also talked about Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court. Her appointment represents an important step toward diversity and representation in the judicial system. In addition, we learned about Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina Supreme Court justice, who has played a major role in advocating for fairness and equal rights.

Working on this presentation was a great experience because it allowed me to research modern leaders and understand how their actions continue to shape society today. Even though I felt a little nervous presenting in front of the class, I also felt proud of the work my group did. Overall, I think our group did a good job explaining the importance of these modern changemakers and their influence on democracy.

                                

Overall, I really enjoyed this project and the opportunity to learn about so many influential individuals. Each presentation helped me understand how people from different backgrounds and time periods contributed to shaping democracy and improving society.

One thing that I learned from these changemakers is that change does not happen overnight. It requires courage, persistence, and sometimes the willingness to challenge the system in order to improve it.

This project also reminded me that anyone can make a difference. Even though these people lived in different times and situations, they all started with ideas and a desire to make society better. Their stories continue to inspire people today.

I believe that learning about these changemakers encourages all of us to think about how we can contribute to our communities and help create a better future.