Students For Social Change
Image courtesy of Harriet Hayden via Cleveland Gazette 2/24/1894
By: Jennifer Steele, Jennifer Antocci, and Catherine Radonic
The Education, Youth and Volunteer Engagement team is leading engagement with four Boston Public Schools this school year to learn about the natural and cultural resources the three National Parks of Boston Park sites offer. Each month students meet with park staff to explore the question: “What inspires you to be a leader for positive change?” One of three lessons this fall focused on Boston African American National Historic Site where students were encouraged to consider, “What characteristics made the women of the underground railroad leaders for social change?” Having recently learned about Civil Rights leaders in their history class, the students’ energy was wholesome and eager when told we would be discussing prominent women changemakers.
In groups we focused on women who had connections with Boston’s Underground Railroad stops such as Harriet Tubman, Ellen Craft, Harriet Hayden, and Nancy Prince. Drawing from the stories about their fight against the injustices of slavery, students fervently rattled off characteristics such as powerful, creative, kind, and brave to describe these four women.
These women were not afforded power and influence in society yet overcame immense challenges to create an incredible impact in their communities and beyond, for generations to come. We asked these 4th, 5th, and 6th graders to reflect on which characteristics assigned to these women they see in themselves and through that, how they might create positive change in their own communities.
Students and staff are looking forward to the spring where we will closeout an exciting year learning more about Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park. The lesson will focus on the transformative change that took place in Boston Harbor and students learn more about the successful rectory of Spectacle Island. By the end of the school year students will test their knowledge to determine if they have what it takes to become a Jr. Ranger.
To learn more about the women of the underground railroad in Boston visit Boston’s Women and the Underground Railroad (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Students from the Adams School in East Boston meet with NPB Rangers to learn about the women of the Underground Railroad.
Students selected characteristics they believe they possess that they can use to help their communities.