The dramatic life of a slave who became one of the leading voices for freedom during the U.S. Civil War was cited by both a member of Congress and a student at Flynn Middle school of Sterling Heights.
   Joey Kirma, 11, was the grand prize winner in an essay contest for social studies students at the school in response to an invitation by U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak. Joey is the son of Nick and May Kirma of Sterling Heights. 
Levin presented each participating student with a certificate before students, parents and staff Wednesday morning in the Media Center of the school.
   The congressman selected Joey's essay on Sojourner Truth as best written essay representing the theme of an American woman who was inspirational in the cause of freedom.
   A slave who eventually gained her freedom, Sojourner Truth adopted her new name to suggest "speaker of the truth" as she became inspired by her religious faith to help others. 
   "She wanted to be God's pilgrim," Joey wrote. "Then she changed her name to Sojourner Truth because she didn't want to be God's pilgrim with her slave name. She made a lot of speeches about anti-slavery and women's rights in the United States, including Michigan. 
   "The speeches she made really touched the people listening to them," Joey continued. "She knew what she was talking about." 
   Truth, who settled in Battle Creek, met with President Abraham Lincoln at the White House, giving him moral support in his efforts to save the union and end slavery. 
   "All in all," Joey wrote, "she was a great speaker and a very remarkable person to me because she helped women and African-Americans gain their rights."
   Joey aims to become a pediatrician with studies at the University of Michigan following Flynn Middle School and Sterling Heights High School.
   Other women who were subjects of essays included Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady and later an ambassador to the United Nations.
   Levin described to the students how he met Eleanor Roosevelt as a student at Columbia University in New York. He noted how he was impacted by her humanity and humbleness, including how she came to the meeting driving herself and in "a battered old Ford."
   Flynn students and members of the social studies class of teacher Tonya Spalla honored, in addition to Joey Kirma, are: Steven Abu-Farha, Amanda Bibi, Stacy Dabish, Abhijit Grewal, Kayla Kedzior, Livia Khemmoro, Tanisha Steverson, and Anthony Trotta.

Picture courtesy of the Macomb Daily staff photo by Craig Gaffield
Pictured above: Joey Kirma, essay winner of Flynn Middle School in Sterling Heights, is congratulated and hugged by, left, his mom, May Kirma, and teacher Tonya Spalla.
 

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