An important aspect of AAUW’s work is supporting leadership development and helping educate the next generation of advocates for equality and equity. Opportunities to hear young leaders speak for themselves are a rewarding part of our work. Taking time to listen to them encourages their confidence and growth as leaders and individuals. Plus, connecting with young leaders and hearing their perspective is crucial for maintaining our organization’s vitality.

Through the assistance of J. Watson Bailey Middle School administrators and faculty, we have the privilege of reading the thoughts and aspirations of several 11 and 12 year old students and sharing them on our website.

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr Day, their school counselors held special sessions on character. The students reviewed Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech and talked about the weighty issues he addressed and the courage it took for him to stand up for what was right, especially given the power of his opposition and the dangers he faced. Afterward, the students wrote their own versions of “I Have a Dream,” talking about the issues they see in the world and face in their daily lives.

The resulting speeches were stirring and painted a very promising future for the next generation of leaders and advocates. In brief passages of poetry and prose, the students wrote about a wide range of deep topics, including gender identity, poverty, the environment, bullying, body image issues, war, and education.

AAUW Kingston, NY proudly gave certificates of achievement to the students featured on our website in recognition of their excellent work, leadership, and writing. Please take a few minutes to read and share their “Dreams.”

“I have a dream that this nation will let woman like whatever they want without being weird or that men will be able to like whatever they want without being called sissy or other names.
I have a dream that one day girls can like football and video games and hate pink and be accepted. I have dream that one day boys can like pink and hate football and not like violence and still be accepted.
I have a dream that we can wear whatever we want without being judged. I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day we can like whatever gender we want and not be made fun of or judged. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day bullying will stop and all sadness caused by peers will stop. This is my hope and faith with this faith we will be able to do what we want and like what we want without being judged.”

—Madelynn Bigler, age 11

“I have a dream that one day this nation will accept differences in other people. I have a dream that one day people will accept different opinions and styles in other people. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day people won’t be scared to leave the comfort of their homes or families because they are afraid they will be judged. This is my hope and faith. With this faith we will be able to express ourselves without being hurt. This will be the day when we stand up and not be judged.”

—Jay Lynn Stover, age 12

“I have a dream to be the first woman to become president and help the illegal woman and man, families in the united states that are separated from each other to become together and not suffer. I have a dream to all the illegal to have their dream come true. I have a dream today, I have a dream for all states to stop war. And be together as a nation. I have a dream to help the people in need, and help the ill. This is my dream.”

—Katherine Mirefuentes-Aguilar, age 11

“I have a dream that the world will be in peace. I have a dream that people will keep out world clean. I have a dream that people won’t judge each other. I have a dream that everyone will be happy and thankful for what they have. I have a dream that everybody will respect each other. I have a dream that everyone will have food, clothes, and shelter. I had a dream that everyone in the world had something to be happy about and everyone was happy.
I have a dream that one day we could make the whole world better by having more peace. Sometimes I think in the world we fight over things not worth fighting over things not worth fighting for. Some of the things we have wars about aren’t really worth what we do. I have another dream that people someday will stop judging people by what they look like. They should like somebody for who they are. Everybody knows not to judge people but they do it anyway.”

—Elizabeth Hakim, age 11

“I have a dream that we will not be judged. That we can walk down a hallway and not be judged by the color of our skin or the clothes on our body. I have a dream that someday I can go out in public and not worry of what people think. That when I do get judged, or when you judge me, you will judge me by what’s in my heart—not what’s on my body. I hope my children do not worry about their hair and nails. That they can just be themselves. I have a dream today. Girls will stop killing them self because people making them feel insecure. That they can walk around proud of them self and not be judged. I have a dream no matter how wealthy or poor you are you may feel good about yourself in your body. That is my dream.”

—Jayla Laster

“I have a dream too!
I have a dream that in this world there will be no bullying. Bullying has an utterly crucial effect on the lives of those being bullied. Bullying can feel very harsh on the person being bullied and can lead to many hurt feelings and problems. I have a dream that students will be able to be taught with their own personal learning style. Personally I don’t think that standardized testing is necessary. Students learn better by having open opportunities and experiences, working at their own grade level. Students who are taught that way have an endless amount of opportunities, and their learning style is continuously thriving, prospering, and flourishing by the second. I have a dream that one day gadgets will stop being utterly desired and in such high demand because all of this leads to major damage and pollution to our environment. We are taking in more materials than we are gaining. When will this stop? I have a dream that people will just be pleased with what they ALREADY have and not always need the newest latest iPhone 100. Really, it’s not necessary.”

—Indira Delacorte, age 12

“I have dream that one day this world will have no childhood hunger. I have a dream that one day no human being will starve. I have a dream that there will be no more suffering. I have a dream that everyone will have shelter. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day everyone will have clothes. This is my hope and faith. With this faith we will be able to end those horrible sad commercials about childhood hunger! . . . about no shelter! This will be the day when everyone will take everyone in the same and not take anyone in for being too poor.”

—Victoria Quick, age 11

“I have a dream that one day this nation’s people will not be afraid to show who they really are.
I have a dream that one day people will find someone who likes them for who they are instead of changing themselves for someone.
If you change who you are, people are liking someone else, not you. You are not being yourself.”

—Thea Kovaleski, age 11

“I have a dream that one day this nation will charge less money for the gas.
I have a dream that one day people won’t have to charge lots of money.
I have dream that one day people will live a better life.
I have a dream that no one have to leave there houses because of they don’t have money to pay taxes because the paid lots of money on the gas.
This is my hope and faith. With this faith we will be able to pay less money for the gas.”

—Muhammad Kashan, age 11

“I have a dream that war would end and that the army wouldn’t have to risk their lives. I have a dream today! This is my hope and faith. With this faith we can end war and save the lives of the fighters in the war. This will be the day when all armies will stand down and we can make peace with everyone else in the world! I will have hope till’ the world is at peace. No more weapons, bombs, etc. No more theft and killing.”

—Jason D. Blampied, age 11

“I have a dream that one day this nation will have more jobs.
I have a dream that one day people won’t be homeless.
I have a dream that one day people won’t die of thirst.
I have a dream that people won’t die of hunger.
I have a dream that one day everyone will get a good education.
I have a dream that one day everyone will have good health.
This is my hope and faith. With this faith we will be able to thrive as a great country.
This will be the day when war ends.”

—Madison Hammerle, age 11

“I have a dream that one day this nation will banish war and the nation will be peaceful.
I have a dream that one day that we will find tons of gas so the price will go down.
I have a dream that one day the sun won’t explode on earth.
I have a dream that alcohol will be less powerful.
I have a dream that one day no matter the name of the person, nor the name of the place they live in, all humans will be treated as equals.”

—John Prizzi

“I have a dream that one day this nation will end world hunger. I have a dream that those who sit starving wondering if they’ll ever eat will finally eat food. I have a dream that the needy will get some resources. I have a dream that all people can get food.”

—Zion James Kennedy, age 11

“I have a dream that one day this nation will have better jobs.
I have a dream that people will not die from cancer.
I have a dream that people won’t die from thirst.
I have a dream that people won’t die from hunger.”

—Kiyle Thomason Jr, age 12

“End bullying. Although the miseries in Pandora’s Box will be hard to recapture – we can! Even though the miseries have sunk into the human nature, WE CAN! People will roam the world without being afraid to be themselves. Destroying bullying to its very roots will be hard, but at least try! No one should have tears in their eyes for being themselves. We should not be torn from ourselves.
I have a dream . . .
– that we will not run in fear
– That we will be free to be ourselves
– Society will not label people outcasts.
– People can talk and not be hurt and not hurt others.
– That equality will reign.
– People will not die of distress, rather than live in the cruelty.
I have a dream”

—Caroline Regan, age 11