Samantha Smith (1972-1985) was a bright and expressive schoolgirl whose optimism warmed the hearts of millions around the world. At the age of 10, when the United States and the Soviet Union appeared to be on the brink of nuclear war, she wrote a letter of peace to Soviet leader Yuri Andropov. His warm response and her two-week journey to his country inspired countless Americans and Soviets to rethink their hostile views of each other. As a powerful symbol of hope and “America's youngest ambassador for peace,” she helped create an atmosphere of love, respect, and joy. Tragically, her life was cut short at the age of 13 when she and her father died in a plane crash. She taught the world an important lesson: If people try hard enough, they can get along.

Researching Samantha Smith for my American Heroes #4 album led me to Samantha’s mom, Jane Smith. She kindly corresponded with me via email, answering my questions about Samantha. I co-wrote the song with Dave Kinnoin.

A friend and former director of The Peace Center in Langhorne, PA remembers meeting Samantha in the early 1980s when she appeared as the keynote speaker at the annual Bucks County Peace Fair, in Pennsylvania, US. She recalls being so impressed with the way Samantha carried herself, she thought perhaps someday Samantha might be President of the United States.