Ida B.
Wells
Jacqueline Small
Junior Division
Individual Web Site
How I Chose this Topic:
On the Spring break of 4th grade my family and I took a trip to visit the Woolworths museum.
Prior to the trip I had been learning about slavery, segregation, and some of the important black
leaders of America. While touring the museum I became fascinated with the things that I had just
discovered. I was surprised at how drastically society had changed. Though, there is still an
amount of racial discrimination it is not as bad s it was in the past. My visit opened my eyes to
realize where I came from and how I got here. Without important leaders like Martin Luther
King Jr., Rosa Parks, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and Fredrick Douglas life as we know it
today would be totally different.
How I Conducted My Research:
As it became closer to time for me to choose my topic for the history fair it was easy for me to
somewhat narrow down the type of person I wanted to do my project on. I researched Ida B.
Wells in general and then went deeper by exploring the legacy that she left and how her legacy
has impacted the society today. My research was conducted by reading multiple books and
articles online, along with an interview that Ida herself participated in.
How I Prepared My Project:
I prepared my project by first starting off with a central quote that was set to be the general idea
for my thesis statement. Quotes and pictures are a key part in my project entry because I figured
that they might be able to grab a persons attention. Next I added some important background
information such as her previous careers and life growing up so that you would understand her
stance to the whole situation. I added an excerpt from one of her most influential pieces of work.
Lastly, I connected her legacy to current times to show that even though she may have died over
80 years ago, she is still a part of an important era of history.
How My Project Relates to this Years Theme:
My project relates to this years theme of Leadership and Legacy because it deals with Idas
important work as a civil rights leader and the legacy that her doings left behind. I see the
importance presently because even though there has been so many changes from back in the late
1800s and early 1900s there is still a significant amount of racism and segregation that goes on
today that most people dont realize because of the few people that they come into contact with
in their everyday lives.
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Primary Source:
"Interview: Ida B. Wells." Evekathygean. N.p., 03 Feb. 2011. Web. 08 Jan. 2015.
This source is important to my paper because it helps me understand what was going on
from Idas point of view. It also shares some of her personal views and experience of
what she went through as a leader.
Secondary Sources:
[Link]. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 08 Jan. 2015.
This is a great source for my website because it gives great information on Idas
background- from the time she was born up until now, how the world is shaped by the
legacy that she left behind.
"Celebrating Women's History Month: A Profile of Ida B. Wells, Feminist Public Menace."
American Humanist Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2015.
This is one of my secondary sources because it talks about how Wells played an
important role in womens history. She was not just a leader for women but the entire
black population as well.
"The Christian Broadcasting Network." Ida B. Wells-Barnett (1862 -1931). N.p., n.d. Web. 08
Jan. 2015.
This site gives a brief summary of some major points in Idas life, it allows you to know
what se went through and place it in its historical setting.
"Family, Admirers Keep Ida B. Wells' Legacy Alive." Chicago Tribune. N.p., 28 May 2003. Web.
07 Jan. 2015.
This news article was important to my project because it shares that her family is trying
to keep Ida B. Wells legacy alive, and how they plan on and are doing it.
"The History Girls: Strange Fruit, Ida B Wells (and Kate Beaton Again) Catherine Johnson." The
History Girls: Strange Fruit, Ida B Wells (and Kate Beaton Again) Catherine Johnson. N.p., n.d.
Web. 08 Jan. 2015.
This blog post is great for my project because it provides a great image that will be useful
for my website.
"Ida B. Wells: A Courageous Voice for Civil Rights." Ida B. Wells: A Courageous Voice for Civil
Rights. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Jan. 2015.
This article is help0ful when it comes to the legacy part of my project, along with some
of her past careers leading up to becoming a civil rights activist.
"Ida B. Wells." Ida B. Wells. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Jan. 2015.
PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 08 Jan. 2015.
This excerpt is important to my work because it provides an actual piece of one of Idas
writings.
"Remembering the Legacy of Ida B. Wells." Remembering the Legacy of Ida B. Wells. N.p., n.d.
Web. 06 Jan. 2015.
This post is a great one that would greatly help me with my project because it tells of
Idas legacy, and what has been done to keep it doing.