Amariyanna "Mari" Copeny, a young activist who has been making national waves for several years, will stop by the New Bedford Whaling Museum to share her story as the latest speaker in the New Bedford Lyceum.

The water crisis in Flint, Michigan, made national news back in 2014 and work on replacing the pipelines is ongoing. Many locals demanded action but one person by the name of Mari Copeny has been relentless from the start.

She was 8 years old in 2016 when a letter she wrote to Barack Obama challenging the then-president to visit Flint got published in The Los Angeles Times.

Copeny's determination to make things right has brought her around the country. She gives speeches and shares ideas about how each person can make change happen.

"My generation will fix this mess of a government," she Tweeted in 2018. "Watch us."

Copeny's advocacy is more than about access to clean water; it speaks to a wider problem of inequality.

"In the wake of her note to Obama, her work in the community and successful crowdfunding campaigns have allowed her to distribute over 1 million bottles of water to Flint residents, raise over $500,000 for her ‘Flint Kids’ projects to place thousands of books into the hands of local children, and distribute backpacks filled with supplies to school-age youth," the whaling museum said in a news release.

The teen, who has become known as Little Miss Flint, is scheduled to appear at the downtown New Bedford museum Thursday, June 23, 6 to 8 p.m., with a discussion panel at the end. Tickets are $7 for virtual and $25 for in person ($7 for age 18 and younger in person).

This would be an amazing learning experience for many Southcoast youths who have a passion for helping make positive change but perhaps don't think they have the means.

Lesser Known Museums of New Bedford

Everyone undoubtedly thinks of the New Bedford Whaling Museum when they look for an indoor day in the city. However, there are actually quite a few museums throughout New Bedford for a wide range of interests. We found a few you might not have explored yet that are definitely worth the trip.

14 Unique Museums in Massachusetts You May Not Know About

When you think of a museum, what do you think of? Maybe you imagine walls full of art or a giant T-rex skeleton at the entrance. But here in Massachusetts, we do museums a little different. While we do have your typical museums, we are also home to quite a few unique and sometimes a little off-the-wall museums that challenge the way we think about art, science, and what we hold dear. Take a look at 14 of the most unique – and treasured – museums in Massachusetts, and let us know which one you want to visit first!

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