Mary Beth Tinker
- Born:
- November 8, 1952, Des Moines, Iowa, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Registered Nurse, Educational Speaker, Activist
Early Life and Education
- Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, into a family committed to social justice and activism.
- Attended Warren Harding Junior High School.
- The controversy surrounding Mary Beth Tinker's protest began in her youth.
Career and Major Achievements
- In 1965, at age 13, she and other students wore black armbands to school to protest the Vietnam War.
- She was suspended from school for violating the school's policy against political statements.
- She became the lead plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969).
- The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Tinker, affirming students' First Amendment rights in schools. The ruling stated that students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate."
- Worked as a registered nurse, often focusing on pediatric care.
- Continues to advocate for students' rights and free speech through public speaking and activism.
Legacy and Impact
Mary Beth Tinker's legacy is centered around her contribution to the legal precedent protecting student free speech rights in U.S. schools. The Tinker v. Des Moines decision remains a cornerstone of First Amendment jurisprudence, influencing subsequent cases involving student expression.
Notable Works
- Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 393 U.S. 503 (1969) - The Supreme Court case.
- Travels extensively as an advocate, speaking to schools and organizations about student rights. Many resources about "mary beth tinker biography examples" are available online to learn more about her experiences.