Spring 2025
Advocacy Journalism
Leverage creativity and interest in world events, storytelling, and media technology to help shape society. You’ll learn how journalists pitch stories, interview subjects, write news articles and maintain high ethical standards. Great for mentees who would like to be journalists.
Learning Objectives
Apply Here
Deadline: January 15, 2025
As a mentee or mentor in the Advocacy Journalism Journey, you’ll have access to an online course designed to help you learn about the impact of journalism on social justice. You’ll be paired with a mentee or mentor for one full cycle, and you’ll meet with them at least twice each month. You’ll attend at least one community engagement experience a month.
- Cycle(s) Spring 2025
- Time 3 hours per month
- Areas of Focus Journalism, Activism, Career Development, Media, Nonfiction
- Available Spots Per Cycle 20
Advocacy Journalism Courses
Unveiling Perspectives: Objectivity in the Modern Newsroom
Discover how editorial decisions impact the breadth and inclusivity of news content through selected segments from Breaking the News, a PBS Independent Lens documentary. The film explores the initial stages of nonprofit news venture The 19th*, highlighting its efforts to establish a diverse newsroom and cover significant national events.
Advocacy Journalism Mentoring
Mentees and mentors in the Advocacy Journalism Journey will be matched for one cycle. Pairs will meet for at least two hour-long sessions each month.
Advocacy Journalism Community Experiences
Mentees and mentors in the Advocacy Journalism Journey must attend at least one Community Experience per month. It is strongly recommended that you attend the following Advocacy Journalism Journey meetings:
- March 15, 1-2 pm ET
- April 17, 4:30 – 6 pm ET
- May 3, 2025: 3-4 pm ET
Journalism 360, Multimedia 360, and Public Policy 360 Adventures
Advocacy Journalism is a Journey in the Journalism 360, Multimedia, and Public Policy Adventures.
Journeys in the Journalism 360 Adventure focus on building skills to investigate, analyze, and write about world events. It is recommended for mentees and mentors who want to embrace journalistic integrity.
Journeys in the Multimedia 360 Adventure focus on creating in particular medium. It is designed for mentees and mentors who want to express ideas with digital and audio techniques.
Journeys in the Public Policy 360 Adventure focus on the ways that writing and creating can impact public policy. It is designed for those who want to learn more about how to make change in technology, reproductive health, climate change and more.
Learn more about the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below.
Find Your Journey
Find Your Journey
Teach GWN (Fall 2025)
In this Journey, Members of the GWN community will develop curriculum and facilitate a community studio for one or more cycles within GWN’s Collaboratory structure. Each cycle involves facilitating three community studios, one per month. Participants will gain valuable skills in leadership, teaching, and community building. Mentees and Mentors can facilitate a community studio either solo (if they are 18 or older) or together as a pair.
The Power of Punchlines: Stand-Up Comedy for Change (Fall 2025-Spring 2026)
In this two-Cycle Journey, participants will explore the power of comedy as a tool for social change, with a special focus on stand-up comedy. From climate change and economic inequality to LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and mental health, you’ll learn how to write and perform material that blends humor with meaningful social critique. Comedy is a form of intelligence—whether you’re new to comedy or a seasoned performer, this journey will help you use humor as a force for social impact.
The Lead Incubator (Fall 2025-Spring 2025)
The Lead Incubator is a crucial extension of the Lead Community Change Journey, offering Mentees the space, resources, and support needed to implement their project plans and drive meaningful change in their communities. It acts as a dynamic platform where they can turn their ideas into action. Mentees participating in the Lead Incubator focus on advancing their community-based social activism projects with the support of their mentors and Girls Write Now’s resources.
Explore Tour (Fall 2025)
Explore the creative and storytelling pathways Girls Write Now offers through a multimedia, multi-genre experience with mini courses, exploratory studios, and one-on-one pair sessions. Build new skills and deepen existing ones across fiction, journalism, publishing, and formats like video, podcasting, and visual storytelling. Ideal for mentees working across media or focused on specific projects, this Journey offers the flexibility to tailor your learning experience to your goals.
The Power of Punchlines: Stand-Up Comedy for Change (Summer 2026)
In this Journey, participants will explore the power of comedy as a tool for social change, with a special focus on stand-up comedy. From climate change and economic inequality to LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and mental health, you’ll learn how to write and perform material that blends humor with meaningful social critique. Through workshops and performance coaching, you’ll develop your own comedic voice. Discover how satire and personal storytelling can raise awareness, inspire dialogue, and challenge the status quo— all while keeping your audience laughing. By the end of the Journey, you’ll have developed a 5 -10-minute stand-up routine that not only entertains but sparks meaningful conversations about the world around us. Comedy is a form of intelligence, whether you’re new to comedy or a seasoned performer, this Journey will help you use humor as a force for social impact.
Explore Tour (Summer 2026)
Explore all of the creative and storytelling pathways Girls Write Now has to offer through a multimedia, multi-genre experience that includes mini courses, exploratory studios, and one-on-one pair sessions. Discover new skills and build on existing ones with offerings that range from fiction to journalism to publishing, and dive into formats like video, podcasting, visual storytelling, and more. Ideal for mentees who enjoy working across multiple genres and media or are focused on specific projects, this Journey offers the flexibility to tailor your learning experience to your individual needs.
Life Lines: Crafting Memoir and Nonfiction (Summer 2026)
This Journey invites you to explore personal truth through nonfiction and memoir writing. You’ll learn to shape real experiences into compelling narratives that resonate with readers. Through reflection, drafting, and feedback, you’ll develop your authentic voice and storytelling skills to share your unique story with confidence.
Visual Voices: Video Storytelling (Summer 2026)
Explore the art of storytelling through video by learning how to craft compelling narratives using visuals, sound, and editing techniques. This Journey offers hands-on experience with video production from concept to final cut, empowering you to share your unique stories on screen. Gain skills in filming, scripting, and post-production while expressing your creative vision through multimedia.
Nature Narratives: Zine Production (Summer 2026)
Dive into the world of zine-making with a focus on nature and the environment. This Journey guides you through crafting personal and creative expressions about the natural world using multimedia, writing, and visual art. Celebrate your unique perspective while learning to produce and share your own impactful zine.
Writing for TV: From Script to Screen (Summer 2026)
The Writing for TV Journey is designed to help develop the skills and understanding needed to work as a writer in today’s TV industry. This Journey provides insight into the work of a scriptwriter – a deep understanding of TV storytelling and professional scripts, drama vs comedy scripts, professional working practices, and employment strategies. Specific topics range from story structure and formatting scripts to actually seeing a script to fruition.
