why civic and political participation is important

Dear Mr. President,

Civic and political participation of the people in this nation is important in order to keep a
functioning government and society. If the people of this nation ignores their civic
responsibilities and don’t help make important decisions, then just a couple individuals
are choosing who merits government positions. It's our obligation as citizens to ensure
our rights and take an interest politically. Lastly, civic and political participation is
important because it allows people to be herd, to fight for justice and equality.

How the person influenced change

I am writing to you to ask that we make a national holiday for Ida B. Wells. Ida B. Wells
was an African American journalist, sociologist, and civil rights activist. Ida wanted to
help change how African Americans were treated and wanted the public to be aware of
the failure of equality. Ida became a part owner of a Memphis newspaper called “The
Free Speech and Headlight” in 1889. Ida was inspired to write about women’s rights,
anti-lynching, how African Americans were treated, and segregation between the
African Americans and whites. Ida demonstrated by partaking in the government can
influence what happens in the administrative and legal division. Ida’s created the first
suffrage club for African American women in the state of Illinois. Ida was successfully in
ending segregation and restricted voting.

what issues or events motivated the person to action

In 1884, Ida brought a first-class train ticket from Memphis to Nashville. However, she
wasn’t able to ride in first class because crewmembers forcibly removed her from the
train when she refused to move to the car for African Americans. Ida sued the railroad
and won a $500 settlement in a circuit court case, however, the decisions was
overturned by the Tennessee Supreme Court. Ida was ordered to pay court costs. After
this incident Ida believed it was time to speak out and encourage people to fight for
what was right. This inspired her to begin her journalism career.
In 1892, three African Americans were lynched in Memphis and one of them was
Thomas Moss who was a friend of Ida. This horrible incident inspired Ida to begin her
anti-lynching crusade.

why the person deserves a national holiday/how society is different because of the person's
work

A national holiday should be dedicated to Ida B. Wells, who has had a positive impacted
on this country because of her civic and political participation for women’s and civic
rights. Ida has had a big impact on today's society because her actions has helped
changed the way African Americans are treated and allowed women to have the right to
vote.