“Reading, writing, and being encouraged to do both is what made being a young woman tolerable for me. The teachers who fostered my young self expression remain the heroes of my life. Girls Write Now is doing the essential, joyful work of nurturing the next generation of writers, and of giving them not just the tools, but the permission, to tell the truth about their lives. This organization means so much to me, both personally and creatively. As the beneficiary of a transformative and life-affirming education in creative writing, I know firsthand the gift that kind of mentorship and community can be—for both the writers and for all of us lucky enough to read them.”