Naomi Wadler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Naomi Wadler
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Wadler in 2018
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| Born | October 16, 2006 |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | The Field School |
| Years active | 2018–present |
Naomi Wadler, born on October 16, 2006, is a young American student. She is also an activist who speaks out against gun violence. She has given speeches to support people affected by gun violence in the United States. She especially focuses on Black girls and women who have been victims. One of her most famous speeches was at the "March For Our Lives" protest. She goes to Alexandria City High School in Alexandria, Virginia.
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About Naomi Wadler
Her Family and Background
Naomi was adopted by Julie Wadler in 2007. She came from an orphanage in Ethiopia. Her mother also adopted another daughter, Sarah, in 2009. Naomi's father is African American and enjoys hunting as a hobby.
In April 2018, Naomi shared with Elle magazine that she is Ethiopian Jewish. She also mentioned that she had faced racism at school because of her background.
Naomi's Activism
Organizing a School Walkout
On March 14, 2018, Naomi helped organize a walkout at George Mason Elementary School. About 200 students participated in this event. They stood silently for 18 minutes. The first 17 minutes were to remember the 17 victims of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. The extra minute was for Courtlin Arrington. Courtlin was a Black girl who was a victim of gun violence in Alabama.
Speaking at March For Our Lives
On March 24, 2018, Naomi spoke to a large crowd at the March for Our Lives rally. This event took place in Washington, D.C. She was the youngest speaker at the entire rally. She explained why she organized the walkout at her school. Naomi also highlighted that a higher number of Black girls and women are victims of gun violence in the United States.
She was initially worried that talking about Black female victims might seem off-topic. However, she felt better after learning that other students would share their own experiences. Her speech became very popular on Twitter. Many famous Black actresses praised her powerful words.
Continuing Her Advocacy
After the March For Our Lives event, Naomi continued to speak out. She gave speeches at the Women in the World Annual Summit. She also spoke at the Teen Vogue summit. She received a standing ovation for her speech at the Tribeca Film Festival. There, she was given the Disruptive Innovation Award.
Naomi mentioned a Black woman who was killed in the Nashville Waffle House shooting in April 2018. She spoke about how the person responsible for the shooting was offered bail. This bail was later taken away after more charges were added. Naomi also appeared as a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
In 2020, she spoke at the Davos Economic Forum. She talked about how gun violence against Black girls and women in the United States is often overlooked. She said, "White girls’ lives matter so much more than any black girl who dies in the inner city, or on the way to school. We don’t hear about them, they’re statistics." Teen Vogue named her one of their "21 Under 21" young leaders. She also appeared on a New York Magazine cover with actress Barbra Streisand.
See also
In Spanish: Naomi Wadler para niños
