Interview with Mari Copeny
We couldn’t be more excited to present our interview with the amazing Mari Copeny - aka Little Miss Flint. At age 8, Mari wrote to President Obama asking him to meet up with her and a group of people from Flint coming to Washington, DC. He wrote back...and said he would come visit Flint - a place that’s been without clean water since 2014 - instead. Since then, Mari - now 10 - has been known as Little Miss Flint and can be found helping out young people in Flint. Our reaction: wow wow wow wow wow wow wow.
Before starting, make sure to follow follow follow Mari on Instagram and Twitter.
theCramm: What inspired you to email President Obama about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan?
Mari Copeny (MC): We were heading to DC for the congressional hearings of our governor and I wanted to reach out to him because the people coming on those buses really could have used some hope from President Obama. I never expected him to write back, let alone come to Flint because I wrote him.
theCramm: What was that experience like?
MC: It was amazing. I was so nervous waiting to walk in to meet him. When I heard his voice my heart was racing, but the minute I saw him all the nervousness went away. I ran right up to him, and he picked me up and gave me the biggest hug in the world. Then when he gave his speech, he pointed me out to the entire crowd and said how he came to Flint because I wrote to him.
theCramm: What, if any, obstacles did you had to face as a result of your age?
MC: Well, being a kid, people hate to take me seriously. I mean, it’s horrible. Adults try to tell me to stay in a child's place and to mind my own business. People assume being young means I have no idea what I'm talking about, and that I’m not capable of thinking for myself. It's hard to get people to give me the time to actually listen to me.
theCramm: What’s your favorite experience you’ve had as Little Miss Flint?
MC: There are so many, but I always love meeting Flint kids. They are my main motivation and I love any chance I get to give back to them, meet them, and hear their stories.
theCramm: You’ve said you hope to run for president in 2044. How do you hope to accomplish that?
MC: Well, I'm starting my campaign early, making sure that people know my intentions as soon as possible. I plan on sticking to my beliefs and making America a place for everyone - not just the wealthy.
theCramm: Do you have any advice to young women hoping to make a difference?
MC: Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can't make a difference. Don’t give up even when it feels like people are working against you.
theCramm: What are your thoughts on the future of politics for our generation?
MC: I have ton of hope for the future of politics. We are in a time where people are realizing how important it is to vote, to run for office, and to make sure that we are represented in all levels of government.
theCramm: Are there any causes you’re currently trying to help out with? If so, how can teens and young adults hoping to make a difference contribute?
My main cause right now is always to give back to Flint kids. I am working on a few projects, including a HUGE one once school gets out. You can always donate to my GoFundMe or purchase one of my Don’t Forget Flint shirts to help me give back to Flint kids.
theCramm: If you could ask yourself any question, what would it be, and could you please answer it?
MC: Why do you stay in Flint?
Because Flint is my home. I have traveled the country and have yet to find the type of people that are back home in Flint. People in Flint are fighters - they have more compassion and drive than anyone I have ever met. People in Flint are strong, and even when we have so many bad things happening to us, we always come back stronger and better than before.