Changemakers

 Studying the historical change makers has led me to think deeply about how one individual can make very large changes in the world. Each of the change makers chosen by the individual groups illustrates that it is typically very difficulty to create change (e.g., many change makers faced obstacles such as: criticism, hardship, and/or danger as they attempted to support their beliefs). This has led to me to realize that being a change maker requires courage, determination, and a strong sense of purpose.

In Group 1, I learned about several individuals: Alexander Hamilton, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington. These individuals’ histories have helped me better understand how the United States was founded, and why the Constitution continues to be very important. Prior to learning about these change makers, I knew their names, but was not able to appreciate how much effort, debate, and compromise it required to create a permanent government. One thing about the Constitution that stood out to me was the beginning phrase of “We the People” indicating that all power comes from the people. Creating a government based on the “people” was the change that these individuals supported after the previous system of government, which was ruled by a king. These individuals created a government that protects individual rights and restricts excessive power from anyone branch of government or individual. It is also impressive to learn that the Constitution is still relevant today; The Constitution is capable of being amended, which indicates the foresight these change makers possessed about the continued evolution of society. As a conclusion from Group 1’s research, I now see that true change is not just about having a fast outcome; but about creating something that is meaningful and will last for a very long time.

In Group 3, I experienced modern-day change makers including; Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King Jr., Bob Dylan, Dolores Huerta, and Nelson Mandela's examples showed me how different methods of creating change remain today in the form of either activism, leadership, humanitarianism or music. The major example of how Martin Luther King Jr. used non-violent protests to fight for equality demonstrates how change does not have to be violent. Like Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela worked towards an end to apartheid and uniting his country after spending substantial time in prison. Dolores Huerta sent off fight for workers rights while Mother Teresa devoted her life to serving underprivileged individuals that she cared for. Bob Dylan also utilized music as an outlet for spreading messages about social issues emphasizing the potential for creativity being a huge catalyst for change.

While each of these individuals inspires me because their greatness has shown me that there is no one way to create positive change, as a result of their accomplishments, I am motivated to advocate for myself and support others while standing for my beliefs in my own personal life. This idea connects particularly well to Malala Yousafzai, who demonstrates how young people in today's world can create impactful change. For me, Malala's story stands out among historical figures due to her extreme bravery and determination to stand up for the right of female students to receive an education even at the cost of great risk. Her status as a representation of a newer generation, as opposed to those historically known throughout time makes her influence even more impactful.

My involvement with this group changed makers (1800s) enhanced my experience due to research done on various individuals. The person whose life impacted me the most was Mary Edwards Walker. In addition to researching other change makers such as Lincoln, R. Roosevelt, A. Carnegie, and N. Tesla, I found that the way Walker broke down barriers as a woman in her profession demonstrated an incredible degree of success at a time when women were frequently viewed as inferior to men. Walker not only served as a physician during the Civil War but was a pioneer in advocating for women's rights and in challenging traditional dress codes for women.

Having an interest in medicine has provided me with the inspiration that I can have both a successful career in medicine and in bringing about change in society; however, it is not without challenges due to societal expectations. Furthermore, being part of this group illustrated to me that there are many types of change, whether it be political, business-related, or social in nature; and that there are multiple sources of change in society. Whether through acts of leadership, such as those of our founding fathers in defining the structure of our country; leaders of the 19th century breaking down barriers; or modern-day change agents continuing the fight for equality and justice; all individuals have an opportunity to impact the future and the world in which we live.

I really enjoyed this project because it allowed me to research inspiring individuals and learn about the challenges they faced. It opened my eyes to the reality that we are the future, and if we want to make a difference, we must be willing to speak out—no matter the obstacles.