This blog post was written by Spencer George, Communications Intern.
“So we write— to feel good, to let it out, to tell our stories, to create a legacy. And we read— to learn our history, to escape, to experience other things, and also to know that we’re not alone.“
— Tanzina Vega, host of The Takeaway
Thank you to Tanzina Vega, host of The Takeaway, for supporting Girls Write Now at this week’s Insider’s Party hosted by Board member Ellen Archer! To everyone who attended this special event— thank you! You are helping us champion young women’s stories, and by finding and owning their stories, these young women are changing the world, one girl at a time.
The Takeaway is a news podcast from NPR/WNYC. You can listen to The Takeaway starting Monday, May 7th, and every weekday from 9-10am.
Weren’t able to make it? You can still support Girls Write Now as we move into our 20th year of mentoring young women writers and media makers by donating now!
Check out highlights from the evening below:
Tanzina Vega, host of The Takeaway on NPR/WNYC, with Girls Write Now mentee/mentor pair Diamond Lewis and Jamie Fuller. Tanzina and Diamond spoke about the power of writing and the importance of calling yourself a writer.
Tanzina Vega spoke about her experience growing up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and how writing is a way to connect with others all across the world.
“But there are also moments, like the ones I’ve had, where you write and it has an impact on someone else. Because if you’re lucky, your writing will also go out into the world, whether it’s a link on your Facebook page or a front page story on The New York Times. And that’s the magical moment, when someone across the country or across the world connects through your word. That’s what it means to be a writer. It’s not the babbling brook, it’s not the cottage, it’s not even the quill pen. It’s sitting down and not being afraid of the page, and it’s embracing the power and the joy that comes with telling a story. So my message to you is, write, keep writing, and please don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot.”