Meet Your Neighbors Update: Mary Beth Tinker

Last fall, we introduced you to neighbor Mary Beth Tinker. As a 13-year-old in 1965, she stood up for her free-speech rights, and her case not only made it all the way to the highest court in the land, she won!

Mary Beth now gives talks at schools about how children can stand up for what they believe in. And this fall, she is taking her show on the road.

With the support of the Student Press Law Center, Mary Beth is trying to raise $50,000 for a five- to six-month bus tour of the U.S. As of late April, she’s had nearly 100 invitations to speak at schools across the country.

Mary Beth writes: Civics education is in dire straits. A recent study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center shows that only one-third of Americans can name the three branches of government, and another third can’t name any.

So, I’ve decided to do more. Along with attorney Mike Hiestand, who has helped 15,000 students, teachers and administrators navigate student speech issues over the past two decades, I’m going on the “Tinker Tour” — a bus (or RV) trip across the country to promote youth voices, free speech and a free press.

The goal of the Tinker Tour is to bring real-life civics lessons to schools and communities through my story and those of other young people.

For more information on the Tinker Tour and to donate, visit TinkerTourUSA.org.