blog post 2

    Before these presentations, I thought of changemakers as people who became famous for doing something important. After listening to the presentations about the 1800s, 1900s, and 2000s, I realized that being a changemaker is much more than that. A changemaker is someone who stands up for what they believe in, even when it is difficult, and helps create opportunities for others. Learning about these individuals helped me understand how much courage it takes to challenge unfair systems and inspire change.

    One person who stood out to me was Susan B. Anthony. It was interesting to learn about how hard women had to fight just to have a voice in government. Today, voting feels like a normal right, so it is easy to forget that women were once denied that opportunity. Susan B. Anthony spent years advocating for women's rights even when many people disagreed with her. It takes courage to speak out about a topic that so many people oppose you on and stand firm in your belief. Learning about her made me appreciate the freedoms women have today and reminded me that many of those rights exist because people before us were willing to fight for them.

    Another person who left an impact on me was Ruby Bridges. Out of all the historical figures discussed, her story was one of the most emotional for me. She was only a child, yet she faced hatred and discrimination that most adults would struggle to handle. It was hard to imagine being her age and having to walk into a school while people protested against my presence. As a Black woman, her story felt very personal. It made me think about how much courage she had and how her actions helped create opportunities for future generations of Black students. I felt both sad and inspired while learning about her. Sad because of what she had to endure, but inspired because she never gave up.

    Although I enjoyed learning about the changemakers from the 1800s and 1900s, the presentation that connected with me the most was the one on changemakers of the 2000s because it was my group's presentation. Researching and presenting modern changemakers allowed me to look deeper into the lives of people I had heard about before but never fully understood. I never took into account people that I usually see on my social media such as Instagram or Tiktok does so much for the community. It also helped me realize that change can happen in many different ways, whether through sports, philanthropy, politics, or advocacy.

    The person who impacted me the most was Serena Williams. Before this project, I knew she was an amazing tennis player, but I did not know much about everything she had overcome throughout her life. While researching her, I learned about her childhood, her training with her sister Venus, the racism she experienced, the injuries she faced, and the challenges she had to overcome to become one of the greatest athletes of all time.

    As a Black woman, Serena Williams' story was especially meaningful to me. Throughout her career, people often criticized her for things that had nothing to do with her ability as an athlete. Despite all of that, she continued to succeed and prove herself over and over again. What I admire most about Serena is that she never allowed other people's opinions to stop her from achieving her goals. She remained confident in herself and continued making history.

    Learning about Serena made me feel proud. It was inspiring to see someone who looks like me succeed at the highest level while facing obstacles that many people could never understand. Her story reminded me that success is not about having a perfect journey. It is about continuing to move forward even when challenges arise. That lesson is something I can apply to my own life as I continue my education and work toward my future goals.

    Another part of Serena's story that stayed with me was learning about the health complications she experienced after giving birth and how she used her platform to raise awareness about the challenges many Black women face during pregnancy and childbirth. This stood out to me because she could have kept those experiences private, but instead she chose to speak openly so that other women could learn from her story. That showed me that being a changemaker is not always about winning trophies or breaking records. Sometimes it is about using your voice to help other people feel seen and understood.

    I also enjoyed learning about Melinda Gates and the work she has done to improve healthcare, education, and opportunities for women around the world. Her story showed me that creating change does not always require being an athlete or a politician. Sometimes change comes from helping others and investing in communities that need support. Her dedication to improving people's lives demonstrated another side of what it means to be a changemaker.

    Overall, this project taught me that changemakers can come from many different backgrounds and time periods, but they all have something in common. They see a problem and decide to do something about it. Whether it was Susan B. Anthony fighting for women's rights, Ruby Bridges helping break down racial barriers, or Serena Williams inspiring people through her achievements and advocacy, each person left a lasting impact on society.

    The biggest thing I will take away from these presentations is the idea that one person can make a difference. Before this project, I often thought of history as something created by large groups of people. While that is true, I now realize that many important changes started with one individual who was brave enough to speak up or take action. As a Black woman, learning about people like Ruby Bridges and Serena Williams was especially meaningful because their stories showed me the importance of resilience, confidence, and determination. Their experiences made me feel represented, inspired, and motivated to continue working toward my own goals while remembering the people who helped make those opportunities possible.

Sincerely, Yasmeya