Youth Role Models
Amariyana “Mari” Copeny
Activist
Bio
Amariyanna “Mari” Copeny (age 14) is an activist who rose to prominence for her role during the Flint water crisis. At the age of 8, Copeny wrote a letter to President Obama that convinced him to come to the city and address the water crisis. Since then, Copeny, now known as “Little Ms. Flint,” has raised over $500,000 to support access to clean water in Flint and other resources to support health and well-being. See her official bio here.
Follow Mari on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
In the News
“5 Years into Water Crisis, Little Miss Flint Hasn’t Given Up,” ABC News
“This is How One Sixth Grade Girl Helped Improve Flint’s Water Crisis,” The Oprah Magazine
“Kids need to see themselves as superheroes.”
Special Note: The Center for Youth Political Participation, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University or any of its affiliates, are not directly connected or affiliated with the following individual. This page is to be utilized as a teaching tool for the RU Ready in the Classroom program.