Changemakers Who Shaped Society — Adrian Rupert Blog #2

This week in class we had group presentations about historical changemakers. At first I thought it would mostly be a series of mini history lessons. In reality it ended up being a lot more interesting than that. Hearing everyone present made me realize that the idea of a “changemaker” is much broader than I originally thought. Some of the people discussed were inventors, some were political leaders, some were activists, and some were entrepreneurs. What they all had in common was that they changed the direction of society in some way. Sometimes they did it intentionally, and sometimes the impact of their work grew far beyond what they originally imagined.

One of the first figures discussed was John D. Rockefeller. Rockefeller built Standard Oil and became one of the most powerful businessmen in American history. At one point his company controlled an enormous portion of the oil refining industry in the United States. Hearing about that level of economic control was honestly surprising. It also helped explain why antitrust laws eventually became such an important part of American policy. When one company becomes too dominant, it can reshape entire markets and influence politics as well. What I found interesting is that Rockefeller’s story is not simply about business success. Later in life he became one of the biggest philanthropists in history, donating huge amounts of money to education and medical research. His story shows how complicated changemakers can be. They can have controversial methods but still leave behind institutions that benefit society.

Another presentation focused on Nikola Tesla, who might be one of the most fascinating inventors in history. Tesla played a key role in developing alternating current electricity. That system allowed electricity to be transmitted efficiently over long distances and eventually made it possible to power entire cities. Before learning more about Tesla, I mostly associated him with internet memes and stories about eccentric genius inventors. But the presentation made it clear that his contributions were extremely practical and still shape the modern world. Almost every electrical grid today relies on principles that Tesla helped pioneer. It was interesting to think about how something as ordinary as flipping on a light switch is connected to scientific breakthroughs from more than a century ago.

Another changemaker discussed in class was Jane Addams. Her approach to change was very different from inventors or industrial leaders. Instead of building technology or companies, she focused on improving living conditions for immigrant communities and people experiencing poverty. She helped establish Hull House in Chicago, which provided services like education, childcare, and healthcare. What stood out to me about Addams is how directly her work affected people’s everyday lives. Instead of creating large systems or inventions, she focused on building community support networks. Those kinds of efforts might not always receive the same attention as major inventions or political victories, but they can be just as important for improving society.

Innovation was also represented by Thomas Edison, one of the most famous inventors in American history. Edison is often associated with the light bulb, but the presentation pointed out something I had not thought about before. His real influence may have been the way he organized research. Edison created one of the first large scale industrial laboratories where teams of people worked together to invent and refine new technologies. That model eventually became the foundation for modern research and development. Today major companies and universities rely on collaborative research labs that operate in a similar way. In other words, Edison did not just invent products. He helped shape the process of innovation itself.

The presentations also explored individuals who challenged injustice and fought for freedom. One of those figures was Harriet Jacobs. Jacobs wrote about her experiences in slavery in the book Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. Her account described the realities of slavery and the specific challenges faced by enslaved women. Personal narratives like hers helped people in the North understand the human cost of slavery. That kind of storytelling played an important role in strengthening the abolitionist movement. It reminded me that sometimes the most powerful way to create change is simply by telling the truth about what people are experiencing.

Another extraordinary figure discussed was Harriet Tubman. Tubman escaped slavery and then returned multiple times to guide other enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. She later served as a nurse and spy for the Union during the Civil War. Learning more about her life made me realize how much courage that work required. Every trip back into the South was extremely dangerous, yet she continued doing it because she believed so strongly in helping others escape slavery. Her story is a reminder that changemaking sometimes involves personal risk and sacrifice.

The class also examined political leaders whose decisions shaped the direction of the United States. One of those figures was Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln led the country during the Civil War and issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared enslaved people in Confederate states to be free. He also supported the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery nationwide. What I found interesting is how leadership during a crisis can have consequences that last for generations. Lincoln’s actions were shaped by the immediate circumstances of the Civil War, but they ultimately transformed the legal and moral foundation of the country.

Another group presented on leaders involved in the founding of the United States. George Washington was highlighted as a central figure in both the American Revolution and the early presidency. One decision that stood out was his choice to step down after two terms as president. At the time there were no formal limits on how long a president could remain in power. By voluntarily leaving office, Washington helped establish a tradition of peaceful leadership transitions that later became a cornerstone of American democracy.

We also heard about Benjamin Franklin, who seemed to have an almost unbelievable number of talents. Franklin was an inventor, writer, diplomat, and scientist. He helped secure French support during the American Revolution and later played a role in shaping the Constitution. What impressed me most is how Franklin moved between completely different fields. He contributed to science, politics, and diplomacy while also writing essays and conducting experiments. It makes modern career paths seem very narrow by comparison.

Another important political figure was Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury. Hamilton designed many of the financial policies that helped stabilize the early United States economy. He supported the creation of a national bank and developed plans to manage national debt. Hearing about Hamilton’s work made me realize how important economic policy is for the stability of a country. Financial systems might not seem exciting at first, but they shape how governments function and how economies grow.

Finally, the class discussed James Madison, who is often called the Father of the Constitution. Madison helped draft the Constitution and contributed to the Federalist Papers. His ideas about checks and balances were designed to prevent any one branch of government from gaining too much power. Those ideas continue to influence American politics today. It was interesting to see how political theories developed in the eighteenth century are still shaping modern government institutions.

Listening to all of these presentations made me think differently about the concept of changemaking. Before this assignment I tended to associate changemakers mostly with activism or political movements. What I learned in class is that change can come from many directions. Inventors can change society through technology. Business leaders can reshape economic systems. Activists can transform social values. Political leaders can create institutions that last for centuries. Each of these approaches affects society in different ways, but they all contribute to long term change.

Another thing that stood out to me is how unpredictable influence can be. Many of the people we studied probably did not fully understand how far reaching their work would become. Tesla likely did not imagine that his electrical systems would power a global network of cities. Jane Addams may not have predicted how much the field of social work would grow. Even the founders of the United States could not have known exactly how their political ideas would evolve over time. That unpredictability makes history feel more dynamic and less predetermined.

Overall, this assignment made the concept of changemaking feel much more realistic and relatable. Instead of thinking of changemakers as distant historical heroes, it becomes easier to see them as people who identified problems and tried to solve them in the ways they knew how. Some of them succeeded immediately, while others faced resistance or criticism. But over time their efforts helped reshape the world around them. Learning about these individuals made me realize that change often comes from persistence, curiosity, and a willingness to challenge existing systems. Those qualities are still just as important today as they were in the past.