Berry was awarded FFRF’s Strong Backbone Award, which is $1,000, funded by an octogenarian member of FFRF (who wants to be anonymous) for her activism against the “In God We Trust” bill in Iowa.

Berry writes: “I am 14 years old, a freshman in high school in Iowa, and my pronouns are they/them. This year, I testified against a bill in Iowa that would require all public school buildings to display ‘In God We Trust’ in a prominent place. I said in my testimony that displaying that phrase on public school buildings is forced religiosity and smacks of Christian nationalism. I don’t trust in God and I have a constitutionally protected right to my own beliefs and to safety in my public school. This bill is offensive to students of diverse faith, and no faith, who are all equally protected in our country.

“I have been testifying at the Iowa Capitol for three years about bills pertaining to LGBTQ-plus and other marginalized and minority communities’ rights. I enjoy being an activist. However, as a 14-year-old, I shouldn’t have to advocate for my and others’ human and civil rights.

“I am also represented by the ACLU and Lambda Legal as a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the state of Iowa and several school districts against SF 496, a law passed in 2023 that bans books, bans conversation about gender and sexuality (‘don’t say gay/trans’), and forcibly outs transgender, non-binary and gender fluid students to their parents. Being involved in the lawsuit and speaking up as an activist, I am leveraging my privilege as a white teenager with accepting parents and supportive community in order to advocate for everyone, including those who aren’t as fortunate or as safe as I am.

I am thankful to the Freedom From Religion Foundation for the recognition of my activism and the Strong Backbone Award. I’m grateful for all the work that they do to advocate for everyone’s rights.”

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