History is full of examples of ordinary people who have profoundly changed the world through their courage, ingenuity, and determination.
These individuals remind us that anyone, no matter how “ordinary,” can make an extraordinary difference by standing up for what they believe in, using their talents to help others, and taking bold steps to create change.
1. Malala Yousafzai
- A Pakistani girl who stood up for girls’ education despite the threat of the Taliban. At the age of 15, she survived a gunshot wound to the head and became a global advocate for education. Malala is now the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
2. Rosa Parks
- An African-American seamstress whose refusal to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in 1955 became a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Her quiet act of defiance inspired nationwide efforts to end racial segregation.
3. Clara Barton
- A former schoolteacher who became a battlefield nurse during the American Civil War. Known as the “Angel of the Battlefield,” she later founded the American Red Cross, revolutionizing disaster relief efforts.
4. Oskar Schindler
- A businessman during World War II who, despite being a member of the Nazi party, saved the lives of over 1,200 Jews by employing them in his factories and protecting them from the Holocaust.
5. Stanislav Petrov
- A Soviet officer who, in 1983, made a decision that likely prevented a nuclear war. When the Soviet missile warning system falsely indicated incoming U.S. missiles, he judged it as a false alarm and refrained from escalating the situation.
6. Greta Thunberg
- A Swedish teenager who started a school strike for climate action in 2018. Her lone protest grew into a global youth movement, pushing governments to address climate change more urgently.
7. Irena Sendler
- A Polish social worker who saved approximately 2,500 Jewish children during the Holocaust by smuggling them out of the Warsaw Ghetto and providing them with false identities.
8. Boyan Slat
- A young Dutch entrepreneur who, at 16, started working on solutions to ocean plastic pollution. He founded The Ocean Cleanup, which is now making significant strides in cleaning up the world’s waterways.
9. Harriet Tubman
- Born into slavery, she escaped and then risked her life to lead hundreds of slaves to freedom via the Underground Railroad, becoming a key figure in the abolitionist movement.
10. Katherine Johnson
- An African-American mathematician whose calculations at NASA were critical in the success of the Apollo moon landing. Her work helped break barriers for women and minorities in STEM.
How can an ordinary person change the world?
Changing the world doesn’t require fame or wealth—just courage, determination, and the willingness to act.
As Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
An ordinary person can change the world by taking small, meaningful actions that inspire others or address specific challenges.
Here’s how:
1. Start with a Purpose
- Identify a cause: Find an issue you’re passionate about, whether it’s environmental protection, education, human rights, or public health.
- Set goals: Start small and focus on realistic, actionable steps.
2. Use Your Unique Skills
- Leverage your talents: Your skills, no matter how modest they seem, can make a difference. Writers, organizers, educators, and artists have all contributed to change in unique ways.
- Learn and grow: Educate yourself about the problem and its possible solutions. Knowledge empowers action.
3. Lead by Example
- Be the change: Practice what you preach in your own life. Actions, like reducing waste, supporting local charities, or advocating for inclusivity, inspire others to follow.
- Show courage: Speak up against injustice, even if it feels uncomfortable.
4. Inspire and Unite Others
- Build a community: Share your vision and invite others to join you. Grassroots movements often start with a few dedicated individuals.
- Advocate and educate: Spread awareness through conversations, social media, blogs, or community events.
5. Take Action, Big or Small
- Volunteer: Dedicate time to causes you care about, such as tutoring, cleaning up parks, or helping at shelters.
- Raise funds: Organize fundraising drives or contribute to initiatives addressing global or local challenges.
6. Harness Technology
- Use social media: Amplify your message by connecting with like-minded individuals and raising awareness.
- Innovate: Solve problems with creative solutions or new technologies. Many world-changing ideas started in small, unconventional ways.
7. Persevere
- Embrace setbacks: Progress often comes with obstacles, but persistence leads to lasting impact.
- Stay motivated: Remember the greater purpose behind your efforts and the people you’re helping.
8. Collaborate and Support
- Work with others: Collaborate with organizations, activists, or experts who share your goals.
- Empower others: Mentor and support others to create a ripple effect of positive change.
Examples of Small Steps That Made a Big Impact
- Planting a tree can contribute to fighting deforestation and climate change.
- Speaking out against bullying can create a safer environment for others.
- Starting a local clean-up drive can lead to broader community action for environmental conservation.
