Community-Driven Leadership

“I feel blessed, honored, and grateful to have been matched with Allison, my mentee. Allison’s independence, extensive range, versatility, and conscientious attitude towards life continue to inspire me to achieve my own goals. I reminisce about the moments when we’d freely share anxieties and uncertainties about the future. But also, during pair sessions we celebrate the joyful moments we’d experienced. I remember a particular prompt that both of us responded to: “Write about a moment when you felt most alive,” which has unexpectedly encouraged me to infuse each day with something exciting, pleasurable, and meaningful and to strive toward fulfillment.”

“Anh has been an incredible mentor, both in the realm of writing and in life. Every pair session, she creates space to check in and talk about things like career goals or finding the time to write. Anh has inspired me a lot in my poetry, encouraging me to try new things and step out of my comfort zone. I look forward to each of our meetings and learning from Anh. Outside our meetings, she has also been immensely supportive, for example, by helping me reach out to people in the Girls Write Now community and finding publishing resources for me. ”

“I met Megumi when she was fifteen years old, and was immediately struck by her thoughtfulness, passion, and perseverance. These qualities have only blossomed and cemented as she’s grown into the eighteen-year-old she is today, about to head off to the college of her dreams. Working with her has been an incredible honor. She’s given as much to me as I hope I have to her, bringing vibrance, laughter, purpose, and presence to my life. It’s been a joyful three years, and I am forever grateful to Girls Write Now for bringing us together.”

“Wow, I can’t believe it’s already been three years with Girls Write Now. Even when I someday move on, there is one thing I will never forget: the unbelievable support system, starting with my mentor, Maddie. To think, our first interaction on Zoom was filled with anxiousness of “Will we really fit together?” Now when we meet, we can talk endlessly about whatever is on our minds—it’s such a turnover. I am so grateful for her knowing me so well, for always finding the right words of wisdom, and for all the sweet hugs and letters. Maddie, thank you.”

“Working with Angie this year has been such a pleasure. I am fascinated by the stories she tells in her writings. They are universal topics I myself relate to, yet she finds such a unique way to articulate the different concepts she/her characters grapple with. My role as Angie’s mentor is to support her in understanding how valid and necessary her unique voice is and how to harness the strength of her differences. I feel lucky to play even a small role in encouraging her to continue building her own world—in writing and beyond.”