This blog post was written by Program Intern and Girls Write Now Mentee Alum Tiffani Ren.
Last June, I graduated from Girls Write Now; this June, I returned as a summer intern, and helped with the CHAPTERS Reading Series!
It was a certain home-coming for me: I couldn’t help shrieking (though I tried to be professional) when I saw mentor and mentee friends. I felt this familiar hyper-enthusiasm that was oddly specific to CHAPTERS. The event is just so emblematic of how Girls Write Now pushes us to break through whatever insecurities we have, in the safest and most supportive spaces. Many of us are anxious about public performance: we worry about messing up lines and disappointing the audience, friends, and family. After the breathless moments on stage sink in, we’re relieved but also strengthened.
The June CHAPTERS had so many highlights: Naomi Jackson opened the event with a moving keynote speech, connecting her identity to her writing, particularly in her debut novel, The Star Side of Bird Hill! Shanille Martin’s piece continued the theme of identity and artfully spanned the Caribbean Islands and Brooklyn. Rachel Aghanwa’s emotional reading of “Daddy Please” was a heartfelt piece pleading for her father’s return. Shirleyka Hector finished with a powerful tribute to her mentor, fellow mentees, and the organization. Because of Girls Write Now, she writes, “I learned to say whatever I have to say without distilling my opinions like unclean water.” Because of Girls Write Now, she has rebuilt “a vacant space to let my voice shine throughout.”
I realized my hyper-excitement was in response to CHAPTERS as a beautiful showcasing not only of our mentees’ special voices, and of their raw and powerful writing, but of their bravery and the support and pure love of this entire community.
Being an intern is a happy opportunity to recall what I love so much about the program. Girls Write Now offers us so many resources and opportunities, from college essay assistance, to countless free books, to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. But they also give us our mentors and each other, as writing peers and as life-long friends. Girls Write Now is such a special organization, and I’m proud and privileged to continue to be part of it!