Karla's Blog 2

 

Changemaker's of The 1800's

I expected this presentation to be similar to most where everyone researches their section, presents it, and then moves on. However, after completing our presentation on the Changemakers of The 1800s,, I realized that I learned much more than I expected. Not only did I learn about several historical figures, but I also learned how important teamwork, preparation, and communication are when creating a successful presentation. Looking back, I think our group did a great job presenting information in a way that was informative, organized, and engaging for our class.

Our presentation focused on seven individuals who made significant impacts during the 1800s: Charles Darwin, Dorothea Dix, Booker T. Washington, Nellie Bly, Nat Turner, Susan B. Anthony, and Harriet Tubman. Each person represented a different area of change, including science, education, journalism, civil rights, women's rights, and social reform. What I liked most about our time was that every person contributed something unique to society. It really made the presentation interesting because it showed how change can happen in many different ways.

My section focused on Nellie Bly, and honestly, she became one of the most interesting figures I have learned about. Before this project, I had never really heard much about her and I don't think that a lot of people have. Through my research, I learned that she was one of the first investigative journalists and was willing to take huge risks to expose problems that others ignored. One of the most impressive things she did was go undercover inside a mental institution to reveal the terrible treatment patients were receiving. Her reporting led to reforms and improvements in those facilities. I was amazed by how brave she was because she willingly placed herself in dangerous situations to uncover the truth and help others. I also learned about her trip around the world in just 72 days, which was an incredible achievement during that time period. Researching Nellie Bly helped me understand how journalism can be used as a tool for social change and why she is remembered as such an important changemaker.

One thing I think our group did well was dividing the work evenly. Each member was responsible for researching and presenting a specific person, which allowed everyone to become knowledgeable about their topic. Because everyone had ownership over their section, it made the presentation feel more authentic and less like people were simply reading information from slides. Everyone seemed prepared and understood the importance of their assigned figure. This helped the presentation flow smoothly from one speaker to the next.

Another strength of our presentation was the variety of people we chose to discuss. Instead of focusing on only one type of leader or reformer, our presentation highlighted individuals from different backgrounds. Charles Darwin changed the way people understood science and evolution. Dorothea Dix fought for better treatment of people with mental illnesses. Booker T. Washington promoted education and opportunities for African Americans. Nellie Bly transformed investigative journalism. Nat Turner challenged the institution of slavery. Susan B. Anthony advocated for women's rights, and Harriet Tubman risked her life helping enslaved people gain freedom. Seeing all of these figures together helped me recognize that progress often comes from people who are willing to challenge existing systems and push society forward.

I also think our visual presentation helped strengthen our message. The posters were organized and easy to follow, which allowed the class to focus on the information being presented instead of being distracted by cluttered visuals. The images helped put faces to the names we were discussing, making the historical figures feel more relatable. Having visuals also made it easier to remember important details about each person's accomplishments.

While there were many things we did well, there are also a few areas where we could improve in future presentations. One thing we could have done better is finding more ways to connect our individual topics together. Since each person focused on a different changemaker, there were moments when the presentation felt like separate mini-presentations rather than one unified story. In the future, we could spend more time creating transitions that show how these individuals were connected through their efforts to create change. This would make the presentation feel even more cohesive and strengthen the overall message.

Another thing I learned from this experience is how much preparation affects confidence during a presentation. The more familiar I became with Nellie Bly's story, the easier it was to talk about her without relying completely on my notes. I noticed that when speakers truly understand their topic, they sound more natural and confident. This is something I want to continue improving because public speaking becomes much easier when you focus on explaining information rather than memorizing it word for word.

One of the biggest lessons I took away from this project was that changemakers do not always hold political office. Many of the people we studied created change through determination, courage, and persistence. Nellie Bly used journalism to expose injustice. Harriet Tubman used her bravery to help others escape slavery. Susan B. Anthony spent years fighting for women's voting rights. These examples showed me that making a difference does not necessarily require fame or authority. Sometimes it simply requires someone who is willing to speak up, take action, and remain committed to a cause.

Overall, I am proud of the work our group accomplished. We successfully educated our audience about seven influential figures who helped shape history in different ways. I enjoyed learning about Nellie Bly. It reminded me that history is full of individuals who challenged the status quo and created lasting change. Studying these changemakers not only taught me about the past but also encouraged me to think about how ordinary people can make meaningful contributions to the world today.