I received a grant to do an undergraduate research project in history, and I've been asked to give a talk next week on my topic. I've been researching women in Classical Athens*, and I've been asked as part of my presentation to include a statement about why I find my research valuable. I'm at a loss in this regard. I have my reasons as a history student, my own reasons for being interested in my topic. But I'm wondering if anyone else might be able to offer me some insight, some sort of perspective I'm missing. I can't make the same sort of claims of inheritance that I might if I were talking about women in American history. Because of the distance in time and space between us and Ancient Athenians, I'm struggling. Any advice is much appreciated.

*[more specifically their role in religious ritual and what sort of spaces these rituals might have created for women to exert political influence and autonomy.]