The Own Your History® (OYH) high school or college curriculum has nine teacher-ready lesson plans  for a semester course, with all instruction & primary source documents. They can be tailored to supplement a US history or ethnic studies class. The  Los Angeles Unified School District, second largest, posted  OYH on their proprietary website.OYH’s major theme:“We all … benefit from inheritances we did not choose and cannot change. Growing up involves deciding which part of the inheritance you want to claim as your own, . . .” Susan Neiman, Einstein Institute. The curriculum focuses on ten major topics in US History since1880. Fact-based, focused on the future. Topics consider sources of American greatness as well as our struggles --and progress--with inequality, xenophobia, poverty, discrimination and injustice based on color [“race”], gender, ethnicity, religion, and LGBTQ+ status.   For productive citizens who “own” our history, to advance the American Promise.    Inquiry-based with active learning, such as debates, role play, & advocacy. 

The 1930s were a nadir for Black Americans. Systemic segregation, subordination & economic privation were prevalent In American society nationwide. White Southern political power blocked New Deal benefits. Use the links to explore this history and the ways Black Americans increasingly took risks to more forcefully advocate for justice & equality.Civil rights fwas not on the national agenda in the 1930s. Segregation and  subordination of Black Americans were firmly rooted throughout American society and  the country. The Great Depression and later the emerging war crisis in Europe dominated national attention. Southerners in Congress opposed changes to help Black Americans, including anti-lynching bills, and amended New Deal legislation to deny Black Americans the benefits and programs being offered to white citizens.  A core topic of this resource is risk-taking, primarily by Marian Anderson, A. Philip Randolph, and Eleanor Roosevelt in publicly seeking to achieve greater rights for Black Americans .Their goals were modest by today’s standards, but their actions were historic.

Civil rights for Black Americans was not on the national agenda in the 1930s. Segregation and  subordination of Black Americans were firmly rooted throughout American society and in all parts of the country. The Great Depression and later the emerging war crisis in Europe dominated national attention. Southerners in Congress opposed changes to help Black Americans, including anti-lynching bills, and amended New Deal legislation to deny Black Americans the benefits and programs being offered to white citizens.   This module examines the leadership of three very different Americans—First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, world-renowned contralto Marian Anderson, and labor leader A. Philip Randolph. They each shared strong inner voices, an ability to imagine a world beyond the bounds allowed by the politics and society of their day, and a willingness to take risks for controversial civil rights advances in which they believed—all at a time when segregation and Black American deprivation were central aspects of American society in every part of the country.   

¡Aprende sobre los logros de George Washington, Eleanor Roosevelt, el Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. y Dolores Huerta actuandolos!

Sawyer, un estudiante de la clase de historia, se imagina que presenta un programa de entrevistas con los invitados George Washington, Eleanor Roosevelt, el Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. y Dolores Huerta. Cuando Sawyer entrevista a estas figuras históricas sobre sus logros, los espectadores actúan frases que representan cada uno de sus legados.

Objetivo de Aprendizaje:
Identificar las contribuciones de las figuras históricas George Washington, Eleanor Roosevelt, el Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. y Dolores Huerta.

Eleanor Roosevelt grew up to become one of the most important and beloved First Ladies, authors, reformers, and female leaders of the 20th century.

This resource is from a collection of biographies of famous women. It is provided by the National Women's History Museum, and may include links to supplemental materials including lesson plans about the subject and related topics, links to related biographies, and "works cited" pages. The biographies are sponsored by Susan D. Whiting.

Listen, watch, or read the text of the speech given by Eleanor Roosevelt on December 9, 1948 on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The original caption for this photograph reads: "Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt and others at the opening of Midway Hall, one of two residence halls built by the Public Buildings Administration of FWA for Negro government girls."As a presidential advisor of African American Affairs during the Roosevelt administration, Mary McLeod Bethune formed the Federal Council of Negro Affairs, which would become known as the Black Cabinet. The Black Cabinet was instrumental in creating jobs for African Americans in Federal executive departments and New Deal agencies.Bethune’s influence within the Roosevelt administration also allowed her to direct funds created by the New Deal program to Black people. Programs such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and National Youth Administration (NYA) were successful in employing over 300,000 African Americans during the Great Depression.The original caption for this photograph uses the term "negro" to refer to Black people, which was commonly accepted in that era, but is outdated and inappropriate today.

Learn about the achievements of George Washington, Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Dolores Huerta by acting them out!

Sawyer, a student in history class, imagines himself hosting a talk show with guests George Washington, Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Dolores Huerta. When Sawyer interviews these historical figures about their achievements, the viewers act out phrases that represent each of their legacies.

Learning Objective:
Identify contributions of the historical figures George Washington, Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Dolores Huerta.