“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

— Margaret Mead, cultural anthropologist and author

“Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, debate, and dissent.”

— Hubert H. Humphrey, 38th Vice President of the United States

“I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is, not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education.”

— Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the United States

“The life of a republic lies certainly in the energy, virtue, and intelligence of its citizens.”

— Andrew Johnson, 17th President of the United States

One of the nation’s founders, Madison helped craft the U.S. Constitution. He proposed the Bill of Rights to Congress in 1789 to protect basic freedoms such as the right to free speech. Madison served as U.S. president from 1809 to 1817.

A pioneer of women’s rights, Anthony believed women deserved the same freedoms as men and devoted her life to achieving that goal.  She established the National Woman Suffrage Association in 1869 and was arrested a few years later for attempting to vote. The 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote, was ratified in 1920, 14 years after her death.

King was a civil rights leader who pushed to end segregation and discrimination against African Americans. He embraced the First Amendment’s protection of peaceful assembly, organizing nonviolent protests like the Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott and the 1963 March on Washington. King was assassinated in 1968.

O’Connor became the first female U.S. Supreme Court justice in 1981. She held that position for more than 24 years before retiring. She often cast the deciding vote on important social issues. O’Connor is a vocal supporter of civic education.