McCormick Freedom Museum Brings First Amendment Pioneer to Chicagoland Schools
Assemblies inspire students to learn more about First Amendment
Chicago, Apr. 09, 2009
The McCormick Freedom Museum will sponsor an exciting program
on the exercise of First Amendment rights by high school students. On Thursday, April 9, Mary
Beth Tinker—who in 1965 ignited controversy at her high school in Des Moines, Iowa, leading
to a ground-breaking Supreme Court decision on free speech in schools—will share her
remarkable story with three Chicagoland schools: Wheaton North High School in Wheaton,
Community High School in West Chicago and Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein.
“The Museum is elated that a group of Chicagoland students will have an opportunity to hear
Mary Beth’s inspiring story first-hand,” said Shawn Healy, managing director, McCormick
Freedom Museum. “Our goal in sponsoring these assemblies is to motivate teens to learn
more about the First Amendment and the protection it offers citizens to stand up for what is
right.”
Freedom of speech is one of the most treasured and significant rights in the First Amendment.
The U.S. Supreme Court in 1969 ruled that Mary Beth Tinker’s First Amendment rights to free
speech had been violated when she was suspended, along with four other students, for
wearing a black armband to school in support of a Christmas truce in Vietnam. School officials
found the armband to be a “disturbing influence.” The students challenged this verdict in court,
and their case was ultimately appealed to the Supreme Court. Ruling in favor of Mary Beth
Tinker and the other plaintiffs, the Court created history and underscored the freedom for all
citizens to express their views. Writing for the majority, Justice Abe Fortas ruled that neither
teachers nor students “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of expression at the
schoolhouse gate.”
"We are thrilled to offer students an opportunity to learn - first-hand - from someone who
played a pivotal role in shaping history by exercising First Amendment rights," said Courtney
Brouwer, student and teacher programs manager at the Freedom Museum. "Through this
program, we hope students will be inspired to learn more about their freedoms and the role the
U.S. Constitution plays in an ongoing struggle to define those freedoms."
About the McCormick Freedom Museum
The McCormick Freedom Museum inspires generations to understand, value and protect
freedom. Through extensive outreach initiatives citizens gain a greater understanding of the
struggle for freedom in the United States and the role the First Amendment plays in society.
The McCormick Freedom Museum is part of the McCormick Foundation, which also includes
the Robert R. McCormick Museum, Cantigny Park and Golf, the Cantigny First Division
Foundation and five grant making programs. To learn more about the Freedom Museum’s new
outreach program visit
FreedomMuseum.US. A focus on children, communities and country
unites the Foundation and its many parts and keeps us true to our mission of advancing the
ideals of a free and democratic society. To learn more, please visit
McCormickFoundation.org.