Cassandra Chery - Blog 2

 Changemakers

Blog by Cassandra Chery

One very important thing that I learned throughout these presentations is that history is often taught as a long list of dates and dusty old documents and scrolls, but if you look closer, it is actually a collection of stories about people who refused to accept the world as it was. These changemakers, the thinkers, the rebels, the healers, and the builders, didn't just live through history; they grabbed it by the shoulders and turned it in a new direction. From the humid, tension-filled rooms where the United States was born to the fast-paced, digital halls of modern justice, the individuals we explored in public speaking class from late February to early March represents the very best of human ambition and grit.

Below, I will give a summary and description on the the specific changemakers which we learned in class. Following that, I will speak about my classmates, the group of people who wonderfully represented the ambitious changemakers from the constitutional authors to justices who are still serving at the supreme court. In addition, as important as it is to recognize the following individuals for their achievements, it is also crucial that I take into account the kind of environment which they lived in, socially, economically, and more so that we have an even clearer idea of the battles they fought and the challenges they faced.

 The journey begins with Constitutional authors like James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington. They lived in an era of massive political upheaval, trying to build a stable economy and a functional government from scratch after a wearying war. They weren't just politicians; they were architects of a new way of living, debating every word of the documents that still guide us today. As the 1800s arrived, the environment shifted toward a struggle for the soul of humanity. People like Frederick Douglass and John Brown risked everything to fight the cruelty of slavery, while pioneers like Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton redefined how we care for the sick and wounded during times of absolute chaos. This was also the age of the "Titans of Industry," where Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller reshaped the global economy, proving that individual vision could build empires of steel and oil.

Moving into the 1900s, the world became more connected but also more divided. In this high-stakes environment, leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela stood as giants against systemic racism, using the power of words and peaceful protest to move mountains. This century saw a massive push for equality led by Alice Paul and Betty Friedan, while scientific heroes like Jonas Salk worked tirelessly to save millions from disease. These were people who understood that a society is only as strong as its most vulnerable members.

Finally, we look at our modern era, from 2000 to now. Our world is defined by rapid technological change and a complex global economy, yet the need for strong leadership remains the same. Figures like Barack Obama, Sonia Sotomayor, and Ketanji Brown Jackson have broken barriers in the highest offices of the land, while advocates like Stacey Abrams and Vivek Murthy work to ensure our democracy and our health are protected for the next generation. As you read about these incredible lives, remember that they were just people who chose to act. Their achievements serve as a roadmap, showing us that no matter the environment we live in, we have the power to leave the world better than we found it.

What does it mean to be a changemaker? 

 

While surfing through the internet, I found this video that thoroughly explains what it means to be a changemaker. This video is very informative and does a great job in going into detail about what is a change maker, what the term means, what makes a changemaker, a changemaker. I would recommend sharing this video.

Now that you have some brief insight on the the people which we covered through the Spring 2026 Change-makers project, it is now time to acknowledge and recognize the public speaking class students who decided to research on an important individual and dedicate their time to honoring the changemakers.

Group one

This group consisting of Adriel, Adrienne, Angelina, Camila, Fiorella, Brooke and DorisAnne discussed the constitutional authors, more specifically: James Maddison, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Roger Sherman, George Mason and George Washington. The men who wrote the Constitution were masters of compromise. Living in a world of new independence and thin pockets, they built a government from scratch. Their biggest win was creating a system that could change over time, proving that a country could be run by laws instead of kings.

Group two

This group consisting of Giuliana, Kevin Fernandez, Jehu, Jeronimo, Jennifer, Kevin discussed the changemakers from the eighteenth century: Fredrick Douglas, John Brown, Florence Nightangale, Clara Barton, Andrew Carnegie, and John D. Rockfeller . During the 1800s, changemakers focused on freedom and fast growth. While some fought to end the horror of slavery and improve nursing, others built massive businesses that changed the economy. They proved that one person’s bravery or big idea could totally transform how a whole nation lives and works.

Group three

This group consisting of Ricardo, Luciana, Giselle, Griselly, Louie, Madeley and Monica discussed the following individuals: Barack Obama, Vivek Murthy, Kentaji Brown Jackson, Georgr W. Bush, Stacy Abrams, Alejandro Mayorkas and Sonia Sotamayor.  Today’s changemakers are famous for breaking "glass ceilings" and being the first to hold high offices. In an age of fast technology and diverse voices, these leaders represent a changing face of power. They show us that identity and background are strengths that help lead a modern, global society.

Group four

This group consisting of Raquel, Yen, Yanasey, Elizabeth, Sandra, and Terell. Together, they  went over the 1900s. Through their presentation we learned that the 1900s were defined by the fight for equal rights and better health. From winning the vote for women to ending unfair laws based on race, these leaders refused to stay silent. Their achievements showed that when people stand together, they can fix broken systems and create a much fairer world.

To summarize, The spring 2026 changemakers project created a space where students can get informed on topics that unfortunately do not get spoken about on the regular. It is very possible to exist in an environment that was only made possible by those who came before us and not know. I think that this project was very needed for our class.

Thank you for reading!