One of our goals as educators is to help our students understand how the world works. But in order to prepare the next generation of compassionate problem solvers, we must also help them think about the ways the world doesn’t work—how systems, institutions, and governments have failed to work for diverse groups of people over time.
The 2018 midterm elections offer a recent teachable moment. In a historic election for women and minority candidates, Deb Haaland and Sharice Davids became the first Native American women elected to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Their victories represent an important progressive milestone—while reminding us of the work that remains to be done.
The enduring struggles of women—and especially women of color—make the achievements of Haaland and Davids all the more remarkable and historically significant. Add a personal layer to your students’ understanding of Native American history and issues of diversity and representation with this biography on Sharice Davids!
This biography is part of ABC-CLIO’s The American Indian Experience database, a platform dedicated to exploring the historical and contemporary practices and tribulations of more than 150 Native American tribes from all regions of North America. Click here to activate your free preview of this database and gain access to:
- Hundreds of primary source documents, including traditional stories, treaties, speeches, maps, images, and videos
- Investigate activities designed to spark student inquiry into historical questions and dilemmas
- A CLIOview tool students can use to understand the demographics of the American Indian population, including individual tribe populations, education levels, and more
