Review on changemaker presentations

                                                  Review on change maker presentations

                                                                 By Daniel Valladares

    Listening to all the changemaker presentations honestly opened my eyes way more than I expected. Every group focused on a different time period, and it really showed how people have influenced society in completely different ways over the years. Before this project, I kind of assumed changemakers were just the “big names” we always hear about presidents, political leaders, or people who show up in every history textbook. But after seeing everyone’s slides, I realized that change can come from so many different people: musicians, athletes, activists, inventors, and even everyday individuals who decided to stand up for something.

    My group covered changemakers from the 1700s to the 1800s, which ended up being a really interesting time period. These were the people who helped build the foundations of modern society and opened the door for future changemakers. We talked about figures like Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Susan B. Anthony, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Florence Nightingale, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Even though they all worked in different areas politics, abolition, women’s rights, healthcare they each left a legacy that still affects us today.

    While listening to the presentations, I found myself thinking a lot about the courage it took for people like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass to risk their lives fighting against slavery. They didn’t just talk about change, they lived it, even when it put them in danger. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton also stood out to me because they dedicated their entire lives to expanding women’s rights at a time when women had almost no political power. Learning about Abraham Lincoln also reminded me that changemakers often face criticism and impossible decisions, especially during divided times.

    Florence Nightingale was another person who surprised me. She showed that changemakers aren’t limited to politics or activism her work in nursing and healthcare saved countless lives and completely transformed medical practices. It made me realize that change can happen through compassion and service just as much as through laws and protests.

    The next set of presentations covered the 1900s, and the variety of changemakers was huge. Ida B. Wells stood out to me because I had never really heard of her before, but her journalism exposed racial violence and injustice at a time when most people ignored it. Jane Addams also impressed me with her work improving living conditions for immigrants and low‑income families. She fought against child labor and pushed for better education and public health programs.

    We also learned about major civil rights leaders like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. I found it interesting how they had completely different approaches but were still working toward the same goal of equality. Ruby Bridges’ story also hit hard ,she was just a child, yet her bravery helped push integration forward during the civil rights movement.

    Then there were the cultural changemakers. When Michael Jackson was mentioned, I was surprised by how much he contributed outside of music. His involvement in “We Are The World” raised over $60 million for humanitarian aid, which showed how artists can use their influence to help people globally. Usain Bolt and Serena Williams also showed how athletes can be changemakers by using their platforms to promote equality, representation, and community support.

    We also looked at modern leaders like Melinda Gates, Barack Obama, and Elon Musk. They each used their roles to push for progress in different areas from global health and education to renewable energy and space exploration. One thing I noticed is that modern changemakers have a much bigger platform because of technology and media, which allows their impact to spread faster than ever.

    Overall, this project helped me understand that changemakers come from all kinds of backgrounds and time periods. Some fight for justice, some create new technologies, some inspire through art or sports, and some simply refuse to accept the world as it is. No matter how different they are, they all show that one person really can make a difference. And honestly, seeing all these presentations reminded me that change doesn’t always start big, sometimes it starts with one person deciding to do something that matters.