( CNN ) -- When faced with bullies at school , one 11-year-old girl decided not to fight back with her fists . Instead , she sought help from a higher source : She wrote to President Barack Obama . To her surprise , the president replied to the letter personally . `` My mom , she taught me violence never solves the problem , '' Zianey Stokes of Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , said Friday . `` At my school , we 're not supposed to hit no other child , and I did n't want to do that , because I 'm not a violent person . '' In her letter , Stokes described the bullying she saw and experienced at school . `` They would torment me . They would take my lunch and call me names and talk about my family members . ... They talked about my clothes and how I look , '' she said . In his reply , Obama said he was glad she wrote to share her story . `` Your letter demonstrates a desire to change the culture of your classroom as well as your community . `` Bullying , whether in person or online ... is never OK. All of us must recognize that our shared experience and our unique differences are what make this nation so special , '' the letter reads . `` You deserve a safe and enjoyable classroom and together we will strive to make it a reality . '' When she discovered the letter in her mailbox , Stokes was `` excited , and I was happy , and I wanted to cry . '' The president 's letter inspired her to start an anti-bullying club at her school , she said , and she wants to found an organization called No Kids Should Be Bullied . `` I would like to thank him for writing me back , '' she said , adding that things have gotten much better with the bullies at school . `` They 're just really trying to be my friend , '' she said . And as for her future , Stokes has that figured out , too . `` I 'm becoming a writer ... or the president of the United States . ''
11-year - old Zianey ##a wrote president about bullying at school . Mother ` ` told me violence never solves the problem , '' she says . She wrote back that ` ` ' ... is never OK '' The girl was inspired to start anti - bullying club at school .