# data[].attributes.body
While Galda et al. (2017) describe biography/memoir with a “pedestal gazing” approach, (positioning key significant figures above “normal people” makes their actions seem unattainable), Meyers et al. (2009) encourage us change our old way of thinking about these individuals.
Meyers et al. (2009) encourage us to shift to a more attainable mindset, and assert that including the adversity, time, planning, and effort these figures went through in their biographies makes them seem more like real people, rather than "heroes."

# data[].attributes.body
Select a "hero" or "role model" you've learned about through a biography or memoir. Begin to share your response to the following prompts: What is this individual most well known for? What qualities make that person a prominent historical figure? Then, take a few minutes to further research your selected individual, perhaps using a different biography. What is something you think many people would not know about this person? Please share your responses by hitting the red plus sign on the Padlet. Feel free to "like" or respond to classmates' posts!

# data[].attributes.body
I chose to look at Amelia Earhart because I am including her in the final project I am working on. I have read through a few different biographies to see if I could find any information about her that was contradictory. I found that they pretty much covered the same topics. I don't believe she is portrayed as a "hero" or with a "pedestal gazing" approach. The biographies all showed she had to overcome adversity such as being a woman pilot at a time where it was really a male field. Most of the books described the training she went through and the hard work she did to accomplish her dream. She is a figure that lets students know they can accomplish their dreams regardless of stereotypes if they work hard. After reading the presentation, the one thing I notice is most of her biographies talk about her strengths and don't include any weaknesses (other than her last flight). One new thing I learned about Amelia that most people would not know is she stayed awake during her flights by sniffing smelling salts.

# data[].attributes.body
For my hero I have selected Dr. Mae Jemison because she was an important female scientist that I introduced to my 5th graders this year. Dr. Mae Jemison is most well known for being the first African American woman to travel into space, however that is only one of the amazing aspects of her life. Dr. Mae Jemison first became a Medical doctor and joined the Peace Corps. She was also the first African American woman admitted into NASA's astronaut program after a career change. She became a college professor at Dartmouth, and she began her own company - the Jemison Group, which focuses on creating advance technologies. As I researched her life further, I learned that she speaks Russian, Japanese, and Swahili fluently in addition to English. She is a hero and role model to women everywhere.

# data[].attributes.body
The hero or role model I learned about through a biography is Mary McLeod Bethune. This woman is most known for educational activism for African American children. She grew up working on a plantation to help support her family. She then became an educator and in 1904, she founded one of the first schools for African American girls. Her educational activism and leadership led her to then become a political activist. She found the National Council of Negro Women, and worked in Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration where she served as the informal "race leader at large." She was also a philanthropist, humanitarian, womanist, and civil rights activist. One of my favorite quotes by this remarkable woman is "Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it might be a diamond in the rough."

# data[].attributes.body
The hero/role model I have selected is Fred Korematsu. Fred is most known for the Korematsu v. United States supreme court case during WWII, and being a civil rights activist. When Executive Order No. 9066, the federal order for the removal and relocation of persons with Japanese ancestry was enforced, Fred defied the order since he was an American-born citizen. As a result of his defiance, he was arrested and put on trail. After some additional research, I now know that Fred underwent plastic surgery to look less Japanese and changed his name. Also, there is a day named after him (January 30) in California to honor the Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution.

# data[].attributes.body
A historical "hero" or "role model" I learned about through a biography was Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa was the founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity, which was, and still is dedicated to helping those in need. Through her humanitarian work, Mother Teresa assisted the poor, tended to the sick, and despite controversy, established hospice centers which allowed people with terminal illnesses to die with dignity. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Price in 1979 for her efforts to overcome poverty and distress, and for her promotion of peace. Something many people may not know about Mother Teresa is that she often doubted her faith. Although she is known as one of the most devout figures in history, Mother Teresa questioned her beliefs, and at times, struggled with her conviction.

# data[].attributes.body
Maya Angelou is most well known for being an inspirational poet, author, historian, song writer and producer. She was an African American woman who was awarded many different awards in her lifetime. Although she had a difficult childhood, she preserved through to make a difference in not only her own life but others who may have experienced the same difficulties as her, through racial injustices and prejudices. She went onto college in San Francisco for dancing and acting and was actually granted the first Black female car conductor for a brief time during her college experience. Know, she is best known for her famous memoir I Know Why the Caged Birds Sing which was a best seller and wrote a total of 36 books.

# data[].attributes.body
In honor of Pride month, I chose to focus on Harvey Milk. Harvey Milk was a prominent gay rights activist  first in San Francisco and then in the whole country during the 1970’s. In 1977, Harvey Milk won the election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors making him the first openly gay elected official in the state of California as well as one of the first in the United States. During his term in the Board of Supervisors, Milk helped pass a gay rights ordinance for the city of San Francisco that prohibited anti-gay discriminating in housing and employment. Even after his passing Harvey Milk remained a hero in the LGBTQ+ community and even received a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. Something that I recently learned about Harvey Milk that many may not know is that he actually attended the New York State College for Teachers at Albany. Looks like we all have something in common with the late Harvey Milk.

# data[].attributes.body
The hero/role model I have chosen is John Lennon. Although you may not think of John Lennon as a traditional hero or role model, but he certainly is to me. Growing up he and the rest of The Beatles were pretty much the only musicians I listened to. John Lennon was known to be peaceful, against war, and up-lifting. The first song that comes to mind when thinking of these qualities is the song "Imagine" which is a favorite of mine. He wanted to see the world as a peaceful place and wanted others to attempt to try. He didn't really believe in war and thought we could overcome the world's tragedies without fighting. His music was popular throughout the time of the Vietnam War. Something interesting many people probably don't know about John Lennon is that he was legally blind and dyslexic. This is interesting because of his profession. Although he faced these disabilities he was still extremely talented and a memorable musician.

# data[].attributes.body
A hero/role model that I learned about is Abby Wambach. She is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and FIFA World Cup Champion. In 2015, Wambach retired as one of the most dominant players in the history of women’s soccer.  Wambach is a Rochester, NY native and someone who I have always looked up to. Being a soccer player myself, I have always strived to be like her. I actually had the opportunity to meet and train with her multiple times because my soccer coach played on the same team as her! Beyond that, not only was Wambach a soccer icon, she is now a speaker, New York Times Best Seller, and an activist for equality and inclusion. She is known as someone who is a true leader both on and off the field and is now dedicating the next chapter of her career to fighting for equality, inclusion, and women’s rights.

Wambach is also a co-founder of the Wolfpack Endeavor, which is a revolutionizing leadership development for women in the workplace and beyond. She preaches that women should unleash their individual power, unite with each oner, and stand up for what they believe in!

I highly recommend her New York Times bestseller Forward: A Memoir as well as her book titled “Wolfpack”. They both show how life is about embracing challenges and overcoming obstacles! If you want to learn more about her, she has her own website that includes her story! The link is abbywambach.com. I am also going to share her keynote address to the Class of 2018 at Barnard’s Commencement. It is so powerful to women everywhere!

# data[].attributes.headline
In honor of this year Olympics I am choosing to focus on Sha'Carri Richardson. Sha'Carri is my role model because she is the true definition of unapolegitcally black . Sha'Carri was chosen to run in the Olympics as a track and field sprinter, but was suspended for smoking. I'd like to think of She'Carri as brave because she was never afraid to be herself. She always ran every race with colorful hair and long nails. She also was not afraid to be wrong for something she did. This is really inspiring to young girls all around the world.

# data[].attributes.subject
In honor of this year Olympics I am choosing to focus on Sha'Carri Richardson. Sha'Carri is my role model because she is the true definition of unapolegitcally black . Sha'Carri was chosen to run in the Olympics as a track and field sprinter, but was suspended for smoking. I'd like to think of She'Carri as brave because she was never afraid to be herself. She always ran every race with colorful hair and long nails. She also was not afraid to be wrong for something she did. This is really inspiring to young girls all around the world.

# data[].attributes.body
The person that came to my mind for this prompt was Christopher Columbus. From being a student to now being a teacher, we always talk about Columbus and celebrate Columbus Day because he discovered the American continent. However what is not talked about is how he destroyed the culture that was already here. Columbus actually discovered America by accident and enslaved the Indigenous people already living on the continent. Columbus is portrayed as being a hero, but after learning more about him, it sounds like he wasn't a nice guy at all.

# data[].attributes.body
The role model of mine is Huiying, Lin, also known as Phyllis Lin or Lin When-yin when she was in the United States. She was born on 1904 in China. She is a famous Chinese poet and writer who had a great contribution to the Chinese literature. Besides, she is a well-known first female architect and architectural historian in China. She was also a famous alumni of University of Pennsylvania. There are a lot of memoir in memory of her. One of them is called Lin Huiying and Liang Sicheng as architectural students at the University of Pennsylvania (1924-27) written by Wong, Sidney (2008). She is a model of mine because she's really intelligent and influential not just in one specific field but also various areas. Her poems were learned and analyzed by students during the classes. Her contributions in architecture also are being recognized.

# data[].attributes.body
I have chosen Bettina Love as my role model. Bettina Love is known for being an award-winning author and activist. Love is a researcher, professor and activist who promotes abolitionist teaching. Her book, "We Want to do More Than Survive" is both a window and mirror for all who want to be more culturally responsive and "restore humanity" in schools. Love is important because she teaches people how to be anti-racist, approach teaching with an abolitionist mindset, and what inequalities are effecting black and brown children. She is a great role model for teachers, especially those in diverse populations like Buffalo Public Schools.

# data[].attributes.body
The role model I have chosen is Claudette Colvin. At 15, she was one of the first people to refuse to give up her seat months before Rose Parks did; thus sparking the civil rights movement in Alabama. Claudette realized at a very young age the mistreatment of African Americans from the hands of white Americans. She was mad that the adults seem to be complacent in this process and what to do something to buck back. So when the opportunity arose and she was asked to give up her seat so that a white woman could seat down, even though several individual had already given up there seat, Colvin refuse. Colvin was pushed out of the movement by societal pressures due to becoming a teen mom. But it if was not for her seating down it would not have lead to the Alabama Bus Boycott.

# data[].attributes.body
The role model/hero I selected is John Lewis. John Lewis is a role model of mine because he helped fuel the Civil Rights Movement and continued his work and dedication to equality throughout his entire life. John Lewis is a congressman who served in the House of Representatives from 1987 until his death in July of last year. When John Lewis was a teen and in college he became a major part of the Civil Rights Movement. He was a part of one of the first groups who organized and held sit-ins at places that would not serve black people. He was also a key part of organizing the March on Washington in 1963. John Lewis is often quoted saying get in "Good Trouble".

# data[].attributes.body
A role model that I remember reading her memoir and a biography written about her is Malala Yousafzai. Malala is known for being an educational rights activist. Particularly, she started out focusing on girls rights to education as a young teenager. The qualities that make her a prominent history figure is what she has gone through and the awards that she has received based on her actions. Malala was a target of the Taliban based on her beliefs and she was shot three times by the Taliban. A fact that many people may not know about her was that her father was apart of anti-Taliban activist and she is still a target to the Taliban today. This does not stop her from speaking out about her beliefs and pushing to change educational rights for children.