In this one-cycle journey, mentees will develop essential skills in public speaking, argumentation, and critical thinking. Through engaging activities and interactive discussions, participants will learn to craft persuasive speeches, construct well-reasoned arguments, and present their ideas with confidence. They will explore techniques for effective communication, refine their ability to think critically under pressure, and practice responding to diverse perspectives in a structured setting.
Mentees will learn how to persuade audiences on issues that matter to them. By the end of the journey, they will not only gain confidence in self-expression and analytical thinking but also develop and deliver a final speech that showcases their growth in civil discourse and persuasive communication.
Led By
Ayushree Dahal
Ayushree Dahal is a high school junior from the Bay Area and a second-year GWN mentee. Through GWN’s Lead CC and Lead Incubator journeys, she developed her Lead project, Opportunity.Knockks, which provides resources and helps first-generation youth build networks and opportunities for future career success. Passionate about leadership and communication, Ayushree also led a GWN Community Studio, Speak Up: Developing Effective Communication Skills for Life. She has competed in debate tournaments both as a candidate and a juror. When she’s not debating, running, or binging romcoms, she’s always on the lookout for a great book or a fun fact to share.
AnnMarie Baines
AnnMarie Baines, PhD, is an educator, researcher, and public speaking coach dedicated to self-expression, literacy, and agency through inclusive education. She facilitates kind, welcoming places for people to develop their voice and navigate inequities to become transformative leaders. AnnMarie started her career as a volunteer speech and debate coach for her high school and a special education teacher. She still gives back to the program that developed her voice as a quiet Filipina who was petrified of public speaking. Her work in speech and debate with The Practice Space was recognized by the National Speech & Debate Association for an Activating Equity Award. AnnMarie has held faculty positions at UC Berkeley and San Francisco State and was a program officer at the George Lucas Educational Foundation. She is a TEDx speaker and author of two books. She received her PhD in Learning Sciences from University of Washington, where she was recognized with the 2023 Distinguished Graduate Award, and also has a Master’s in Education Policy from Harvard, a teaching credential from Boston Teacher Residency, and an undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley.
Learning Objectives
- Express Yourself Authentically – Develop confidence in public speaking by using your voice unapologetically to share your ideas, experiences, and perspectives. Build a strong presence, speak with clarity and conviction, and master persuasive communication by appealing to emotions, ethics, and logic to effectively engage any audience.
- Think Critically and Improvisationally – Develop strong argumentation techniques by constructing well-reasoned arguments using logic, evidence, and rhetorical strategies. Strengthen your ability to analyze different perspectives, adapt quickly, and respond effectively in the moment while refining active listening skills to engage thoughtfully and meaningfully in discussions.
- Strengthen Your Persuasive Communication – Develop clarity and organization in your ideas, effectively critique arguments, and support your points with well-researched evidence. Enhance your fluency in rhetorical language to communicate persuasively and confidently in any setting.
- Empower Women and Gender-Expansive Youth – Build awareness of global events and develop the skills to engage in civil discourse thoughtfully and respectfully, even in challenging situations. Strengthen your ability to be heard, taken seriously, and advocate for yourself and others with confidence and clarity.
Apply Now
Applications for the Summer 2025 Cycle are open!
Application Deadline: April 30, 2025
Cycle(s) Offered:
Summer 2025 (July-September)
Time:
3 hours
Areas of Focus:
Public Speaking, Leadership, Finding Core Beliefs, Critical Thinking, Advocacy, Empowerment
Requirements:
- Attend journey live sessions and one community studio per month
- Have at least 2 pair sessions per month
- Complete journey’s asynchronous course work
- Develop and present a polished speech that demonstrates growth in persuasion, argumentation, and public speaking.
- Record a 2 min. speech at the beginning and at the end of the cycle.
- Participate in a final presentation celebration.
Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion Journey Package
As a mentee or mentor in the Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion Journey, you’ll have access to an online course designed help you gain confidence in crafting and delivering compelling speeches. You’ll be paired with a mentee or mentor for one full cycle, and you’ll meet with them at least twice each month. Mentees and mentors in the Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion Journey must attend at least one Community Experience per month.
Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion Course
Public Speaking & Authentic Expression
This course explores how to engage in respectful, thoughtful, and productive conversations, even on difficult or controversial topics. It complements our interactive workshops by providing additional exercises, resources, and feedback opportunities to refine your public speaking skills. Through guided vocal delivery exercises, structured speech-writing templates, and recorded performance submissions, you’ll gain confidence in crafting and delivering compelling speeches. Whether you’re preparing a persuasive argument, a spoken-word piece, or a presentation, participants will develop active listening skills, learn to express their perspectives with clarity and empathy, and practice techniques for fostering meaningful dialogue in diverse settings.
This course is offered as a part of this journey package. If you’d like to take a course without joining a journey, click here.
Community Togetherness Mentoring
Mentees and mentors in this Journey will be matched for one cycle. Pairs will meet for at least two hour-long sessions each month. This journey is open to both mentor/mentee pairs and peer-to-peer pairs.
This Journey requires mentees and mentors to commit to two per month. If you’d like to mentor but cannot commit to this requirement, click here.
Community Togetherness Community Experiences
Mentees and mentors in the Lead Community Change Journey are required to attend monthly meetings, held on Saturdays from 1-3 pm ET. Additionally, they may attend one community studio per month, preferably a leadership-focused community studio.
Live virtual meeting dates:
- July 12, 1 pm ET
- August 9, 1 pm ET
- September 13, 1 pm ET
Final presentations:
- September 20, 1 pm ET
This Journey requires attendance at the Community Experiences noted above. If you’d like to attend Community Experiences but cannot commit to these requirements, click here.
Lead 360 Adventure
The Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion Journey is a part of the Lead 360 Adventure.
Journeys in the Lead 360 Adventure emphasize leadership, aiming to help mentees and mentors develop their leadership skills and work together to create a better future.
Learn more about the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below.
Not ready for a Journey?
If you want to be a part of the Girls Write Now Collaboratory but you aren’t ready to join a Journey, you can participate in individual writing courses, short-term mentoring services, and select community engagement experiences. See all of the options available to you below!
Writing
Take a course without joining a journey, being paired with a mentee or mentor, or attending community experiences.
Mentoring
Meet with a mentee or mentor without joining a journey, accessing writing courses, or attending community experiences.
Community
Attend Community Experiences without joining a journey, being paired with a mentee or mentor, or accessing writing courses.