Thirteen-year-old Amariyanna “Mari” Copeny learned at a very young age that if there’s a problem, there’s always a solution.

In 2016, the then-8-year-old wrote a letter to President Obama asking to meet with him about the lack of clean running water in her hometown of Flint, Michigan. Copeny’s family lived with lead-contaminated water for years, and she wanted answers.

Copeny had no clue that her letter would open a new door for her. “Little Miss Flint,” a name given to her by supporters, stepped up to the plate as a young activist.

Obama went on to approve allocating $100 million dollars toward relief for the Michigan town.

Copeny puts on for her city. Taking her efforts an extra step, she pivoted away from single-use bottled water to partnering with Hydroviv to produce her very own water filter. The filters are shipped all over the country to those that are facing toxic drinking water. Copeny has raised over $400,000 to produce the filters. 

Copeny’s activism efforts are now being highlighted in the pages of the new DC comic book, Wonderful Women of the World.

According to DC Comics, Wonderful Women of the World features “wonder women” in their own rights, and Copeny’s story is no different. Other names featured in the DC comic are tennis superstar Serena Williams and Beyoncé. 

“I have waited months to get this in my hands,” Copeny tweeted alongside a picture of her proudly holding the comic book.’

The Black Girls Rock award recipient continues to serve as an activist for the Women’s March on Washington, Equality for HER, and the People’s Climate March. Copeny is also working with Eighteen x 18, a youth organization founded by her mentor, actress Yara Shahidi. She’s also successfully created campaigns to fund screenings of Black Panther and A Wrinkle In Time for children in Flint. 

We can’t wait to see what the young advocate does next.