This post was written by communications intern, Emely Paulino.
For the second year in a row, Girls Write Now was selected by Penguin Random House employees (last year, by Penguin Group) as the charity beneficiary of their Global Walk. On Friday, June 13th, Penguin Random House employees braved the rainy weather and walked along the Hudson in support of the next generation of women writers. 150 fundraisers and 950 individual donors collectively raised a record-breaking $46,500! All of the funds go to support our unique writing and mentoring programs that help shape the future of women in writing and publishing. We would like to thank everyone who walked and fundraised for our program.
Said Geoffrey Kloske, Vice President and Publisher of Riverhead Books, a division of Penguin Random House, “Riverhead Books is looking for the next great new literary voices so it was an exciting honor to partner with Girls Write Now to help raise funds and awareness for the incredible work they are doing to mentor the female voices of the future.”
After the walk, employees met at the Riverside Boathouse for a few words from Markus Dohle, Chairman and CEO of Penguin Random House, and from us here at GWN.
Said Maya Nussbaum, Founder and Executive Director of Girls Write Now, “Last year, when both Penguin Group and Random House began partnering with Girls Write Now, the power was made clear of matching an intergenerational community of readers and writers with the industry that gives them a voice. We are excited to continue this partnership, working with the world’s largest book publisher on behalf of our diverse and talented girls, poised to become the next generation of authors, editors, reviewers and publishers.”
Mentee alum, Emely Paulino, now a sophomore at Bard College, spoke about the impact of Girls Write Now on her life path. “I don’t know what I would have done without the support from Girls Write Now,” she said. “I mean it. They helped me find my voice, and I will always be grateful for that.”
The event concluded with remarks from Lyndsay Faye, a Girls Write Now mentor and Penguin Random House author. She discussed her relationship with her mentee, Karliis, and how special it was to watch her grow as a writer. Said Lyndsay, “I want to leave each of you personally with one request, and it isn’t to donate, and it isn’t to volunteer either, because you all have personal projects and obligations: if you could, for me, I would love for each of you to tell one other person about Girls Write Now, and just mention what we do and why we do it. Because that’s how I came to be a part of the team, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything, so please: tell somebody about what you heard here, and thank you for coming.”
Thank you again to everyone at Penguin Random House for supporting Girls Write Now and giving girls the opportunity to find their voices. Check out some photos from the event below!
