Our Dad Let Us Be Kids—Cultivating Girls’ Strong Opinions & Imaginations… Mustafa, Layla, and Yasmeen Topiwalla’s Life@ GWN

Father’s Day festivities continue! We proudly turn the spotlight on longtime Girls Write Now Board Member and Treasurer, Mustafa Topiwalla and his daughters, Layla and Yazi, woodland explorers turned spirited collegiate women, well on their way to conquer anything to which they put their minds, dog Macey in tow.

Mustafa, Tell Us About Your Life@GWN 

I am the Treasurer of the Board of Directors at Girls Write Now where I have served for the past seven years. I am proud to be associated with a period during which the organization broadened its national reach, added innovative programming, and expanded fundraising. 

What Gets You Up in the Morning? 

On weekdays it is the desire to positively impact my clients and colleagues. During weekends it is being physically active, watching soccer, and connecting with friends and family including Macey, the family dog (picture?). 

What about Girls Write Now Do You Find Special? 

Their unwavering mission to provide life skills to girls and gender expansive creatives in underserved communities. Also, the commitment of their Founder and Executive Director Maya Nussbaum and the staff who continually find ways to broaden and further the mission. 

What’s Your Superpower? How Does That Inform Your Girls 

Write Now Experience? 

Patience and the ability to hear. Making a difference is hard work and takes time. To remain effective, we must continue listening and let the evolving needs of mentors and mentees (i.e., both our customers) drive the mission. 

The Theme of Our Upcoming Anthology is “Hope Lives in Our Words.” Tell Us What It Means to You? 

Communicating (both written and verbal) with empathy is the only way to bridge the increasing divides within the United States and globally.

What is Giving You Hope Right Now? 

Youth in the U.S. care more about the environment than any preceding generation. I hope that they carry that passion into adulthood to accelerate environmentally-friendly innovation within the practical realities of living in a modern society.

Layla & Yazi, This Month We’ve Been Celebrating Father’s Day. What is Your Favorite Memory of Your Dad? 

We grew up hiking every summer as a family, and to keep us interested on the long walks, our dad would have us create elaborate tales and backstories of  things we observed along the way. Through his questions and guidance, we would appreciate the details of the nature around us and take turns building on each others’ ideas to invent whole worlds. When we look back on our childhood memories like this one, we think fondly about how our dad let us be kids, encouraging our strong imaginations and stepping into our world.

Mustafa, What is Something You Have Learned From Your Daughters? To respect and support an individual’s identity choice, including being an ally. 

What is Important About Being a Girl Dad? How Have Your Daughters Taught You to Think Differently? 

A dad must recognize that raising girls requires a different approach to parenting, including getting out of his comfort zone at times, particularly since his childhood experience may not be as relevant to support and guide his daughters. 

Layla and Yazi are strong proponents of the underserved, and are not afraid to speak out to support them. I have become far more empathetic to the needs of others based on their passionate, well-crafted arguments.

Layla & Yazi, What is One Thing You’ve Learned From Your Dad That Other Parents/Children Could Benefit From? 

One quality that our dad encouraged through endless dinner table debates, and his own curiosity about every player in a game, is being open to engaging with other perspectives. He is always interested to hear what another person thinks and why they think that way, and he is never afraid of a healthy debate. In a time when this country is quite divided by social and political beliefs, we are grateful to have learned that communicating with, and having empathy for, those with whom you disagree is a necessary step towards finding unity. As young women, we are grateful to have a father who has built our skills in engaging with differing viewpoints so that we can enter even male-dominated spaces, holding our own while maintaining respect and openness for others. We believe that anyone can benefit from this lesson, but also from our dad’s example. He teaches not only with his words, but with his actions, modeling that strength is openness, and empowering us to share our perspectives even if he has a different one.

Is There One Thing That Instantly Makes Your Day Better? Mustafa: A big smile 

Layla: Macey 

Yazi: Petting Macey 

What Motivates You? 

Mustafa: Supporting my family and having a positive impact in the workplace 

Layla: My goal of having a positive impact on underserved youth

Yazi: My family

Who Do You Look Up To? 

Mustafa: Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, both role models in terms of how the wealthy should give back to society 

Layla: Our cousin Sara who is a public defender and lives life to the fullest! Yazi: Janja Garnbret, a pioneer in rock climbing 

What is your biggest fear? 

Mustafa: Heights 

Layla: Small spaces 

Yazi: Spiders 

Coffee or Tea? 

Mustafa: Coffee 

Layla: Coffee 

Yazi: Tea!