WriteGirl

WriteGirl is a Los Angeles-based project of Community Partners, founded by Keren Taylor in 2001. Taylor was recognized by CNN as a "CNN Hero" in 2021.[1] The organization's focus is connecting professional women writers in Los Angeles, CA with underserved teenage girls who might not otherwise have access to creative writing or mentoring programs. The mentoring program focuses on creative writing and empowerment through self-expression.[2] WriteGirl Alum Amanda Gorman, was chosen as the Inaugural Poet for the 59th Inaugural Ceremonies on Jan. 20, 2021, when Joe Biden was sworn in as President of the United States.[3][4] In 2013, WriteGirl was honored by-then first lady, Michelle Obama, with the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award.[5]

WriteGirl
Founded2001
FounderKeren Taylor
TypeNon-Profit 501(c)(3)
FocusPartnering Writing Mentors and Mentees, workshops
Location
  • Los Angeles, California
Area served
Los Angeles, California
Websitehttp://www.writegirl.org

WriteGirl Mentorship Program

WriteGirl was founded by Keren Taylor in 2001. The program is based on one-on-one mentoring and monthly creative writing workshops where girls are given techniques, insights, and topics for writing in all genres from professional women writers. Workshops and mentoring sessions explore poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, songwriting, journalism, screenwriting, playwriting, persuasive writing, journal writing, and editing.[6]

  • Mentees

WriteGirl's mentees have a high success rate of graduating seniors entering college, many on full or partial scholarships. Many of the mentees come from underserved communities. The WriteGirl program was designed to give girls individualized guidance and the education support providing in-depth college entrance guidance to all Core Mentoring Program high school juniors and seniors and their families.[7]

  • In-Schools/Bold Ink Writers Program

WriteGirl’s In-Schools Program mentee pregnant, parenting and/or incarcerated girls attending alternative schools by bringing them weekly creative writing workshops. Bold Ink Writers, work with incarcerated and system-involved boys at Los Angeles County juvenile detention camps and day reporting facilities, working in partnership with the Arts for Incarcerated Youth Network (AIYN) and the Los Angeles County Probation Department. Volunteers lead weekly writing sessions designed to improve literacy and communication skills.[8]

  • Lights, Camera, WriteGirl

Lights, Camera, WriteGirl is an annual event benefiting WriteGirl and it’s programming. The event showcases scenes and monologues written by WriteGirl teens, brought to life by a celebrity cast of actors which have included Wendi McLendon-Covey, Seth Rogen, Keiko Agena, Wayne Brady, Angela Bassett, and Kelsey Scott, among others. In 2019, actor, author and WriteGirl volunteer Lauren Graham, emceed the event.[9]

  • WriteGirl Bold Ink Awards

WriteGirl hosts the Bold Ink Awards, an annual event honoring women writers who serve as positive role models for teens. Recipients of the Bold Ink Awards include Kara DioGuardi, Sarah Silverman, and Aline Brosh McKenna, among others.[10]

References
  1. "Finding magic in mentorship: How one CNN Hero inspired thousands of young women to write their own success stories By Allie Torgan". CNN. May 7, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  2. "Getting it Write". Go Girl Magazine. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  3. "Meet Amanda Gorman's mentors: The teachers who nurtured the inauguration poet BY JULIA BARAJAS". LA Times. January 25, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  4. "Angelina Jolie makes rare appearance, praises 'fearless' poet Amanda Gorman by Pamela Avila". USA Today. October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  5. "Michelle Obama honors LA mentoring program for teen girls". 89.3 KPCC. November 22, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  6. "Meet WriteGirl in Downtown Los Angeles – Arts District". Voyage LA. September 2, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  7. "Public Service Announcement: Meet WriteGirl Volunteer and Mentor Teresa Huang By Christina Wolfgram". Los Angeles Magazine. September 18, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  8. "Words make a difference for at-risk youth". Los Angeles County Office of Education. June 15, 2017. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  9. "Lights, Camera, WriteGirl! 2019 BY SARAH J EAGEN". Ms. In The Biz. April 10, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  10. "Previous Bold Ink Awards". Bold Ink Awards. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
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