Civic Storytelling Series
Clean Elections, in partnership with the Civic Education & Community Engagement Committee (CE2), spent time with local community leaders to learn what inspired them to be civically engaged and give back to their community. This diverse group of leaders shared their civic autobiography and/or read their favorite story in an effort to inspire and educate students about civic engagement. These videos were developed specifically for educators and students to experience in the classroom.
Clean Elections and CE2 intend to expand this collection of storytelling and civic autobiographies so they can be an ongoing and current resource for teachers. The collection also includes a video from election experts with Clean Elections that provides an overview of the different branches of government, separation of powers, and how voting and elections work. This project began in celebration of Constitution Week and is a part of Clean Elections’ youth voter education and outreach program.
For more classroom resources on civic engagement, voting and how government works, check out the Clean Elections Civics Classroom Curriculum, designed for grades 4-6, 7-8, and 9-12 that meet state standards.
For more resources on civic education, please visit the Arizona Department of Education’s Civic Education & Community Engagement Program website.
Civic StoryTelling Videos
-
The Importance of Civic Engagement: Supporting and Inspiring your Community with Debbie Nez- Manuel -
Civic Engagement: Senator Sean Bowie on Why Your Voice Matters -
I Pledge Allegiance: Jenifer Pawlik on the Importance of Support Within Civic Engagement -
Your Power: Teniqua Broughton on Empowerment, Education, and the Importance That Every Voice Holds -
Government and Voting 101 Gina Roberts & Avery Xola -
Senator Martín QuezadaThe Story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Biography Book for New Readers -
Amy B. ChanClean Elections Commissioner The Story of John Lewis: A Biography Book for Young Readers -
Tara Ijai Founding Revolutionary of Love Glasses Revolution LLC Your Voice is Your Superpower -
Stephanie Parra ALL in Education The Life of/ La Vida de Dolores -
David Martinez III Vitalyst Health Foundation Grace for President -
Kelsey Dickerson Autobiography
Arizona Humane Society -
Greyson Taylor Autobiography
African American Reconstruction LLC -
Joe Delgardo Autobiography Voting Ambassador for AZSOS -
Lisa Magaña Autobiography
ASU - Professor School of Transborder Studies -
Mel Hannah Autobiography
Charter Member Arizona African American Legislative Committee -
Katie Hobbs Autobiography
Secretary of State -
Anusha NatarajanResearch aid at The School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership at ASU Sometimes People March -
Anusha Natarajan, Lillian and EthanLead Fellow for Andrew Goodman Fellow's Program at Arizona State University -
Avery XolaMilitary Veteran and Voter Education Specialist Voting in the Military -
LeNora Yazzie FultonFormer Apache County Recorder and longtime member of the Navajo Nation Election Board Native American Voting Experience
Helpful Information and Links:
- On September 17, 1787, members of the Constitutional Convention signed the draft of America’s founding document. Beginning with the famous words - We the People… - the constitution affirms that the United States government exists to serve all its citizens.
- Known as the “Father of the Constitution”, James Madison was responsible for drafting and presenting the first blueprint, originally called The Virginia Plan, to the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
- The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription
- The White House: The Constitution
- The Founding Fathers
- Constitutional Amendments Affecting Voting Rights
-The 15th Amendment gave African American men the right to vote in 1870. But many weren't able to exercise this right. Some states used literacy tests and other barriers to make it harder to vote.
-The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, gave American women the right to vote.
-The 24th Amendment , ratified in 1964, eliminated poll taxes. The tax had been used in some states to keep African Americans from voting in federal elections.
-The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age for all elections to 18. - The Arizona Constitution Project
Sign Up for our Newsletter & Text Messages
Receive emails and text messages with the latest voter and election information, resources, and voter education to keep you informed.
Sign Me Up