A Writing Contest HOSTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Sweet July
Threads of Resilience: A Tale of Family Tradition
By Waeza Jagirdar
FINALIST
In the weave of my family’s past,
A thread of resilience, steadfast,
It’s the storytelling of Palestine,
A heritage passed down, divine.
From mothers to daughters, it flows,
A symbol of our eternal souls.
Threads of resilience, generations through,
Defying the notion, old and new.
Palestine, not just a place on a map,
But a beacon in our hearts, a steadfast clap.
My mother, my grandmother, ancestors of yore,
Carried the torch, resilience at the core.
As Bengalis, we know the fight,
Occupation’s weight, a heavy plight.
But Palestine’s struggle, our own in mirror,
A narrative of resilience, ever clearer.
This tradition, it shapes who I am,
A Bengali woman, fierce and grand.
Advocating for justice, equality’s call,
Perseverance in adversity, standing tall.
Through stories of Palestine, we connect,
Roots and heritage, never forget.
Inspiring futures, fighting for peace,
A tradition honored, our struggles cease.
May generations to come, continue the fight,
For Palestine’s liberation, in the light.
Resilience, the legacy, we pass on,
A tradition cherished, forever strong.
In celebration of Women’s History Month in March, and the impact of strong female role models, we partnered with Ayesha Curry’s Sweet July for a writing contest to elevate the voices of girls and gender expansive young adults.
Girls Write Now participants answered a prompt from On the Art of the Craft, our 25th anniversary guidebook coming soon from HarperOne: Tell the story behind a family heirloom or tradition. How has it shaped who you are?
Waeza Jagirdar
Waeza, a media and communication student at Lehman College with a minor in political science, is passionate about healthcare and aims to make a positive impact through a future in nursing. Outside of her studies, she's actively involved in advocacy for education and human rights. In her free time, she enjoys watching early 2000's shows and reading mystery novels.