Tell us about your Life@GWN 

I was introduced to GWN by Erica Silberman, the organization’s current Director of Curriculum and Engagement, and was excited by its mission. Over the last fifteen years, by way of demonstrating that excitement, I’ve participated in GWN events and otherwise served as a conduit to the publishing world.

Why is What You Do at Work Important? Is it the best Career Decision You’ve Ever Made?   

The work I do leads to more racial diversity in publishing; and diversity in publishing comes with both practical and ideological import. First, the practical: According to the Census Bureau, by 2050, the number of Latinx in the U.S. will have increased by sixty percent, the number of Blacks will have increased by twenty-eight percent, and the number of Asians will have doubled. Since the publishing industry considers selling books in the U.S. important, then logic dictates diversity in publishing is also important. If for no other reason, it’s the most efficient way to get better at selling books to what will soon be the majority of people living in the United States. Now, the ideological: Diversity in publishing is important because it’s a way to acknowledge everyone’s contributions to the public discourse. Diversity teaches empathy, encourages sensitivity, broadens understanding, and makes room for other viewpoints. I want more of all these things in the world, a lot more. But, it’s not my experience that they happen all by themselves. It takes work.

I don’t consider what I do my career, as much as I consider it my mission.

What’s Something You’re Proud Of?

My work has facilitated the placement of over five hundred young people into their first publishing jobs. A third of those placements are from BIPoC spaces.

Are You a Morning Person or a Night Owl?

Night owl. No doubt the residual effect of a misspent youth. These days, I leverage this by working late into the evening.

 Are You a Sports Fan? Favorite Teams?

There is only one team in my town and it plays in the Bronx.

What Did You Want to be When You Grew Up?  

The centerfielder for the New York Yankees.

Can You Speak More Than One Language?

Yes. Spanish. I’m Puerto Rican so it kind of comes with it.

Three Things You'd Take to a Deserted Island?

A diner. A motorboat. Erica.

If you belong to the Girls Write Now community and have a story to share, please reach out to us at communications@girlswritenow.org.

Tell Us about Your Life@GWN

I became involved with GWN in 2018 when my boss, Pat Shields, asked a small group of us to find a non-profit organization we could partner with and champion, doing impactful work which spoke to the firm’s commitment to improve the lives of the people in the communities we serve.   

We ultimately chose Girls Write Now after seeing the passion and dedication with which the entire team successfully supports and encourages young people with their personal and professional goals.

What Makes the Partnership between Girls Write Now and RBC Work?

This partnership has been rewarding for us and I believe it’s been eye-opening to many mentees with whom we’ve worked.  By coming to our offices and learning about our careers in finance, they have a better understanding of just how successful they can be with their writing and communication skills across all industries and career paths.  I don’t know that we’ve necessarily converted anyone to banking yet, but we have helped make them more aware of the breath of opportunities available to them.  (ahem, Girls Write Now respectfully disagrees. Mentee Alum Kayla Morgan has landed a Summer 2024 internship with RBC. Stay tuned....)

Among RBC’s strategic priorities for Diversity & Inclusion are recognizing both our opportunity and responsibility to take action, drive change and create a more inclusive workplace and society.  

What Inspires You?

Girls Write Now. I felt personally connected to their mission because it was experiences like these that also helped shape my future having attended an underfunded, overcrowded public high school with low graduation rates.

What does an Active Philanthropic Relationship Look Like to You?

In RBC’s partnership with Girls Write Now, we’ve hosted workshops, attended career fairs, held college and career chats and, very importantly, provided meaningful funding from the RBC Foundation USA. 

What is the Best Advice You Could Offer Other Organizations Looking to Make a Difference?   

Because RBC believes in this partnership, we have continued to show our commitment with increased grant dollars which have now quadrupled since 2018.  I encourage other organizations, whether you are an “intuitive” partnership or not, to do the same, because

by empowering Girls Write Now to support more young people across broader geographies, we really are helping change the world.

Watch this recent video with Girls Write Now and RBC to learn more about our partnership and the power of mentorship.

Tell Us About Your Life@GWN

Having discovered that my love for writing was more than a simple hobby, I heard about Girls Write Now (GWN) in the Spring of my Junior year.  I applied, confident in my poetry sample inspired by the story Alice in Wonderland. Just as I was about to give up hope, I got my acceptance, and was elated. That initial program year cemented my love for writing, and allowed me

to envision a future for myself– one where I would write myself into existence. 

Joining Girls Write Now helped develop my creative writing skills, and was one of the best decisions that I made during my high school years. 

What Is Your Favorite Compliment?

I introduce myself as a writer because Girls Write Now allowed me to feel comfortable being myself. I am also comfortable hearing people say to me “I miss your energy.” Hearing this is a testament to how much space I take up; people notice my presence. I want the people I come across to associate me with positivity, helpfulness, and kindness.

To hear that people miss my “energy” when I am not present means I must be doing something right. 

What’s The Scariest Thing You've Ever Done?

Still, the scariest thing that I have ever done is harbor hope. As I have grown older, I realize that healthy collaboration is actually the most responsible and mature thing someone can do. I was recently hit with what I have coined as a “health-scare.” If I did not have such a caring support system, I would surely not be here. I spent a lot of time ruminating on what it means to keep going; to have faith that there will be something better… one day. I came to understand that bravery was not the lack of fear (I am still scared till this day) but the decision to move forward in the face of it. 

I have not had the financial liberty to go on vacation until recently, when I took a short solo trip to Puerto Rico in 2022, and fell deeply in love with the island. I carry a sense of displacement everywhere I go; it never goes away but I have learned to live with it. In Puerto Rico, that feeling completely vanished. The sun, heat, and warmth of the people healed something deep within my soul. Owning a house in Puerto Rico is now one of my goals. 

What One Thing Do You Always Carry With You?

One item I do tend to carry everywhere I go is a book. I was recently asked if I’d ever escape to a deserted island. It’s difficult for me to conceptualize – I have too many follow-up questions. Am I willingly going? For how long? Can I leave the island when I wish to or am I stuck? How will I know which water is drinkable? In this deserted island scenario, I would take my favorite book which is Hannibal by Thomas Harris. I never buy more than one copy of a book. Some of my friends keep several: However, I like the idea of love as an act of transformation; some of my favorite books are no longer in chronological order, their spines long ago deteriorated into shreds. My copy of Hannibal does not have a front or back cover. I know the narrative so well and have memorized entire passages. One of my favorite pastimes is to create new stories out of the ones I know so well. What happens to characters if the narrative jumps from page 34 to page 2? What happens if I splice in a verse from one of my favorite poems? It’s a lot of fun when you envision a different world.  I learned so much about writing during my tenure in the Girls Write Now program that I can dare to dream about book transformation.

I Strive to Associate Myself With the Best People….

Thankfully, the small circle of friends and mentors I have pieced together is the stuff of dreams and I wake up thankful everyday. Emotional safety is important to me, mostly because I’ve been on the other side – emotionally guarded. To be emotionally guarded means you're on the fence… all the time; paranoid and distrustful of others. You can be in a room full of people you consider “loved ones” and still feel desolate and isolated. I can’t even recall the last time I felt lonely.   

I had a very narrow understanding of what advocating for myself looked like and my mentor, Brenda, taught me that self-advocacy doesn’t ever stop. I thought self-advocacy was condensed to isolated moments, that there were only certain times to be a little more persistent and stubborn about getting what I wanted, but I was wrong. Self-advocacy is making micro-decisions; making doctor’s appointments, looking out for the future-you by doing the dishes tonight instead of dreading them in the morning. Self-advocacy is talking to multiple departments until you hear a “yes,” relentless, restless, and restful. It is about creating inner-peace for yourself and striving, always, to reach your full potential. 

Self-advocacy... is about creating inner-peace for yourself and striving, always, to reach your full potential. 

If you belong to the Girls Write Now community and have a story to share, please reach out to us at communications@girlswritenow.org.

Tell Us About Your Life@GWN

I have always wanted to be a teacher. I think back to when I was ten years old and recall the same pull toward mentorship and guidance. My 10-year-old self would be happy to know I made her dreams come true. I have taken many teaching and mentorship opportunities throughout the years and Girls Write Now is the latest example of my passion and willingness to give back to the youth of today. I learned about Girls Write Now from a colleague, Dr. Daniella Olibrice who works for the program. After reading the mission statement of Girls Write Now I felt that I could be a part of their vision and I agreed to become a mentor. I joined Girls Write Now in the spring of 2023 as a mentor to a young lady in the program. Contact with my mentee took place via the phone. I found that working with my mentee, and the program overall, allows me to fulfill my desire to serve young women through mentoring.

Who or What Inspires You?

I am inspired by young people who set out to right the wrongs they see in society. Within recent years we see movements like Black Lives Matter stepping up publicly to vocalize the ills in society. My three adult sons inspire me the most because they choose to be entrepreneurs rather than work in traditional establishments. They aspire to determine their destinies on their terms. I would like to think their entrepreneurial spirit derives from me. I have always been fiercely independent and I constantly prioritize my freedom. 

If You Could Change One Thing About Your Life…

Now, when I think back on the choices I have made and the life I have created for myself, it is hard to pinpoint anything in particular that I regret. Though, if I could change one thing about my life I would move to Lagos, Nigeria where I spent many years raising my three young sons. I enjoy the tropical weather there, the sense of community, and it is a safe place to raise children with values that are similar to those with which I was raised.

Despite not having many regrets, I do find that correcting my mistakes is something of a constant learning process. As of right now, my process of mending my mistakes looks like this: after I make a mistake I reflect for a while on how I made that mistake. After overcoming the hand-wringing stage that follows a mistake, I determine what my best response to the mistake should be and I implement change. I know that dwelling on the past and being despondent won’t change the past and moving forward in the right direction is the answer to that mistake. It took me many years to understand that learning from mistakes is the only path forward.

When my students come to me for guidance I try to impart to them this same ideology– 

there is no sense in ruminating over the past; there is only forward. 

Ultimately, our universal goal is to uplift others and most of my students understand that and adhere to this philosophy. I am very proud of a group of graduate students who have gone on to become doctors in a variety of disciplines and are dedicated to giving back to their communities. They make me proud.

What Creative Work Inspires You?

I recently read the book Unseen: Unpublished Black History from The New York Times Photo Archives by Darcy Eveleigh, Dana Canedy, Damien Cave, and Rachel L. Swarns. This book documents African American history as told through photographs taken by photographers from the New York Times during the first half of the 1900s through the 1970s. It is a very captivating and informative book and a must-read for anyone who enjoys learning about American history. The authors believe that the photos in the book were neither printed nor publicly shared by autographs. Additionally, photos of African Americans were used by White Americans during that period to depict that group in an unflattering and dangerous light. I learned that African Americans were marginalized and newspapers prioritized the written word over a tremendous amount of history about America, African Americans, the role of print media, and cultural zeitgeist in New York and other cities where African Americans make up large portions of the population. What impresses me most about this book is that this history would have been lost to Americans and the world if the book’s authors did not compile the photographs and written about them.

Books like this remind me of the importance of the work I do. Mentorship is not simply an outlet for my passions, but something that sparks change– presently and continuously. When we choose to care we give a platform to the issues we think are important. When we choose to care we are inevitably saying “Look at this,...give this your attention.” 

"When we choose to care, we refuse to turn a blind eye, no matter how difficult that may be. Caring never goes unnoticed; never gets lost. Caring will always stand the test of time. "

Ultimately, our universal goal is to uplift others and most of my students understand that and adhere to this philosophy. I am very proud of a group of graduate students who have gone on to become doctors in a variety of disciplines and are dedicated to giving back to their communities.

They make me proud.

Stay tuned for Brenda's mentee and her riveting story.

If you belong to the Girls Write Now community and have a story to share, please reach out to us at communications@girlswritenow.org.

What is your Job at Girls Write Now, and Why is that Role Important? 

As the former talent director, and now in my expanded role, my responsibility is to be people-oriented and focused on employees, i.e., human resources, and the inner functions of the organization. Working in partnership with Girls Write Now’s executive director and leadership team, I am guided by a great sense of responsibility to ensure that our teams have the resources necessary to  fulfill our mission, values, and commitment to mentor youth locally and nationally. I enjoy meeting and talking to new people all the time, and so looking for and talking to candidates about staffing opportunities is the part of my job that can be a lot of fun.  It can be very satisfying when I hear that an employee whom I identified from a pile of resumes is being praised or promoted for their hard work, or making a positive impact on our community.

What’s your Favorite Girls Write Now Work Story? 

There are many.  Most recently, I was sitting on my couch where I had fallen asleep in front of my open laptop. I woke up to get ready for bed, but checked my cell phone and found a text message from Dr. Brenda Henry-Offor, a Career360 mentor during the Spring '23 semester. She wrote to let me know that her mentee Dolores Haze had been nominated to be featured in a video about the power of mentoring and focus on Dolores’ story. Reading the text and talking to Brenda the next morning flooded me with a sense of pride and reminded me of my purpose.  I recommended Brenda because I knew she had recently retired from the job where we met. She was a professor at the The State University of New York, Empire State College (a.k.a. SUNY Empire State), a division enrolling working adult college students in accelerated degree completion programs. I was introduced to her in 2012 by another professor Alan Mandel, whom I met at a conference in 2010. Professor Mandel gave me his business card and I reached out to him a couple of years later regarding a project that I was working on, and one thing led to another.

Brenda hired me to be an adjunct professor in an undergraduate program for paraprofessional teachers that she managed in partnership with the United Federation of Teachers at SUNY Empire. I taught on and off between 2013 and 2018. I absolutely loved teaching and getting to know my students who had decades of experience working as paraprofessional teachers in New York’s public schools. Although I was aware of some of the hard times Brenda faced when she suffered the loss of husband, mother, and other loved ones, along with a series of illnesses, I only got to know Brenda personally after she retired from SUNY Empire State College a year or two ago.  Although I haven’t seen her in person since 2018, I made it a habit to stay in touch with her, and it is through these conversations that we were able to deepen our friendship and I was able to open up to her about my own life.

When I learned that Girls Write Now was looking for mentors to participate in the Career360 pilot, she immediately came to mind. I knew of the tireless, compassionate advising she provided to students when she was professor at SUNY Empire. Furthermore, I know that mentoring is a value of Brenda that she lives by in all aspects of her life. She cares about being connected to family, young people, and maintaining relationships with anyone who comes into her orbit. Last, from working with her at SUNY Empire State, I appreciate the fact that she could be relied on to offer sound, clear, and caring guidance to anyone who seeks it of her, and she is invested in their success.

What’s Your Superpower? In What Ways do Colleagues Benefit from Working with You?

My curiosity, honesty, and commitment to service and the greater good are my superpowers. I believe that my colleagues are extremely talented, intelligent, and care deeply about the arts and future generations; I share these characteristics and values with them. So, I would say that I bring my own unique experience, knowledge, and history to the work that I do and that is what guides me.

What’s the Best Girls Write Now Career Decision You’ve Ever Made? 

My best career decision has been to be open, flexible, and willing to learn new things. Every job that I have taken since I left graduate school has introduced me to people and worlds that I didn’t know existed before. They have also helped to stretch and grow as a person and professional in ways that I didn’t expect.

What Do Friends Know About You That Would Surprise Your Colleagues?

My love of words extends to other languages. I speak and read French, Haitian Creole, and Dutch; the last two are self-taught. I once considered pursuing a Ph.D. in linguistic anthropology.

What Are Your Hobbies, and How Did You Get into Them?

From the moment that I could hold a pencil or pen as a child, I drew, wrote, and collaged as my favorite pastime.  I have a BFA in visual arts and consider myself a maker. I’m into color, textures, and different materials such textiles, paper, yarn, etc. For a long time after completing my graduate degree, I focused on baking and still admire the craft. That has petered out and I am now an avid knitter and crocheter. Since the pandemic, I have been coming up with my own designs inspired by other people’s patterns and am working on a new project now. I would like to learn how to quilt next. I also love listening to podcasts, music that harkens back to the 1980s, and am grateful for KEXP (radio station out of Seattle, WA) for introducing me to so many new artists! I also love hiking and the outdoors. I am continually inspired by the lives and work of artists (living and dead).

When You Were a Kid, What Did You Want to Be When You Grew Up?

When I was a kid, my mother was studying to become a nurse and so I used to look through her illustrated textbooks on diseases. I was especially interested in her large textbook about mental illness and thought about becoming a psychiatrist.

If you belong to the Girls Write Now community and have a story to share, please reach out to us at communications@girlswritenow.org.

Tell Us About Your Life@GWN.

My life as a Girls Write Now fellow has been filled with immense professional and personal growth. This position has challenged my security in what I have to offer to the world, has stretched me as a communicator, and shown me where my passions truly lie. Fostering and nurturing community is what I value most about my life at Girls Write Now.

What Gets You Up In the Morning?

As an immigrant raised in an underserved community, I know the value of a program like Girls Write Now. I applied to be a mentee as a Junior in high school, but was waitlisted. I kept this organization in mind, and kept tabs on it after I graduated from State University of New York at Oswego. Almost ten years later, I bring the gifts I once needed to young writers from communities like mine.

What is it About Working at Girls Write Now Work That You Find So Special?

I appreciate Girls Write Now's willingness to listen. There is an understanding that we all learn from each other. This environment where opinions are encouraged and challenges welcomed is very unique and definitely special.

What’s Your Superpower? How Does that Inform the Work you do at Girls Write Now?

My superpower is my energy. I bring my most authentic self to any table or any  room. This means that I bring my most human self to the workplace, trusting that if I have aligned myself with the right organization, I will not meet any resistance to be who I am. If there is resistance, I am not in alignment. This understanding is what led me to Girls Write Now and what informs what I do. As a fellow, I have advocated for what I expect from this opportunity, ensuring that my strengths are properly utilized and my weaknesses fortified.

What's the One Thing that Instantly Makes Your Day Better?

A nature walk. I love hugging trees and staring at the clouds.

I love acting like I’m a bird watcher. As I continue building spiritual practices that work for me, I have found that nature is crucial. My long term plan includes leaving New York City, purchasing land, and frolicking in my garden with my farm animals.

What is Your Favorite Tool for Creating, Pencil, Pen, Keyboard, App?

I love writing in a notebook with a pencil— plain and simple. I love collaborating with tools that were once part of our environment. This helps me connect with the proper channels that allow me to birth my work most holistically.

Aside from Necessities, What One Thing Could You NOT Go a Day Without?

Music. Listening to music is a huge chunk of my day. My father was a touring artist in the Dominican Republic. I spent the first six years of my life there watching him compose music and write songs, accompanying him to recording studios, and attending shows.

I have spent the rest of my years watching my brother do the same. I also turned to music— singing for my school’s jazz band, attending music improv camps as a vocalist, and performing in musicals until I graduated high school.

Now that I no longer perform, I channel my love for music by creating playlists on my own time and for Girls Write Now workshops. After noticing that people were really enjoying my playlists during workshops, I offered to create writing playlists and prompts all summer long. You can get Sounds of Summer: Writing Playlists & Prompts sent directly to you by signing up for the Girls Write Now Monday Memo!

Can you speak more than one language?

Yes! My first language is Spanish. I also speak a variation of any “base” language by replacing vowels with “I’s”. I grew up speaking like this amongst my family. The only situation that ever called for this language was talking about someone that is in the room with you. Beside that, the language isn't very useful.

If you belong to the Girls Write Now community and have a story to share, please reach out to us at communications@girlswritenow.org.

“A person never steps in the same river twice, for it is not the same river, and they are not the same person” —Heraclitus

No two days here are exactly the same at Girls Write Now. Even if my schedule doesn't appear changed, I have since learned something that will differently inform my approach to the same tasks.

It is this experience that I value most as I switch between the roles of:

• learning designer + facilitator,

• community builder,

• career coach, and

• cheerleader of others’ dreams.

What About Girls Write Now Gets You Up in the Morning?

Our community, plain and simple. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, a little louder this time:

a powerful mission will ALWAYS attract the powerful people, and ours is a community of champions.

Whether I’m facilitating workshops, connecting with a core group, or engaging in a Career 360 cohort coaching call, I am but a simple messenger—calling out the magic shooting through the air around them so mentees don’t miss it.

What about Girls Write Now work Do You Find So Special?

I talk about “the work,” and how that is what I care about at the end of the day. Work is not an office, a series of deliverables, or talk about itself or even a tangible result. The Work is the reason WHY we do what we do, why we foster relationships, and all that we learn along the way.

What’s Your Superpower? How Does Girls Write Now Inform Your Work?

My superpower is asking WHY. As an undiagnosed neurodivergent, I annoyed everyone I encountered, as I couldn’t accept the “easy” answers—they simply didn’t make sense to me.

To feel secure in understanding something, I need to flip it upside down, examine every angle, turn it inside out, and run it back one more time. As a child, I was often told to “stop overthinking things, ” or “pick up the pace.” In fast-paced environments, where the GETMO-style (Good Enough To Move On) is king, asking "why" is my greatest weakness. However, to ensure a high-quality end product done right the first time...it is absolutely my strength.

When it comes to learning design at GWN, my supervisor, Writing Works Community Manager Margery Hannah, MFA, says that no matter what the topic, she knows my curriculum is like “throwing a stone into a body of water—you can see the rock hit every layer before reaching the bottom.” What others may call “dense,” or “going overboard,” I call thorough. Rigorous. Intentional. There are no half-measures in my world.

What’s the Best Career Decision You’ve Made?

Asking myself what I want; honestly, that’s the answer. I’ll explain.

I was the college senior with the 5-year plan that impressed anyone willing to listen. At age 27, I was hit with a hard truth: only 10 percent of my meticulously designed plan actually happened the way I thought it would. It became clear that I would get a lot farther in life by asking myself that question than making what seemed like the obvious choice based on my past experience.

What Motivates You at Work?

I submit to you wise words from one Mr. Fred Rogers—star educator, humanitarian, and tour de force in not only the world of education, but my personal decision to go into teaching:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers—so many caring people in this world.”

There are some who are quick to point out the limitations of these words... but I these individuals are missing the point. I’ve always been motivated by the desire to be helpful...even if I hadn't developed the language to articulate it until recently.

As I struggled to gain my footing in the workforce, reevaluating what I wanted ( my passions, and what I had to give) during the “holy hot mess—jeez, are you ever going to get it together?” years that were my early 20s, I realized something: If my work didn’t involve easing others’ pain points, if I couldn’t see an obvious good in what I was doing...I became disillusioned, and, quite frankly, bored.

Earlier, I mentioned that asking myself what I wanted was the first step in curating my chosen career. I've since codified it with the inaugural cohort of Career 360:

1. WHO am I ?

2. WHY do I show up?

3. WHAT do I have to give?

Figuring out the unique ways in which I help others has given me peace of mind and allowed me to reclaim my power in the face of harrowing workplace situations. Now I want to show others how to do the same.

We don’t attract opportunities...we are the opportunities.

When You were Young, What Did You Want to Be When You Grew Up?

“You will be a writer one day, I’m sure of it.”

Those words were written by the fourth grade teacher in my yearbook, whom, as it happens, I didn’t even like me very much. I don’t know where that yearbook is, but her words are etched in my spirit. Elementary school solidified my love of writing, and I just knew I was going to be a published novelist. There’s still time for that dream, but over the years I learned there are many ways of being a storyteller.

For a time, I was fixated on being a storyteller in the only way I thought existed, ignoring other interests or talents. These days, I can almost feel 11-year old me—who asked my mom for a large dry-erase board for Christmas so I could line up my stuffed animals and play “teacher” —sagely nodding her approval while writing another fake assignment on the board.

Whom Do You Admire?

My mom is the person I’m chasing. The older I get, the more I see just how far I have to go in order to reach her level of greatness. There is a reason why, after only one week of working at Girls Write Now, I recommended her as a mentor.

During the summer between my junior and senior year of college, I went to her and told her that I wasn’t coming home after graduation—I decided that New York was my city and I was determined to make it happen.

Her response? A spreadsheet of deliverables I needed to prepare at critical junctures during my senior year (eg. speak with a career counselor), their due dates, and a schedule of 1:1 meetings for us to go over my action items.

Are you reading this mom? You made this happen.

If you belong to the Girls Write Now community and have a story to share, please reach out to us at communications@girlswritenow.org.

My Life@GWN...

has been a conglomeration of sharing and meditating on creative work, discovery, laughter, writing and rewriting and lots of wonderful connections. It’s a great privilege to say that my job is primarily to uplift young writers by listening and championing their voices on and off the page.

What About Your Job Gets You Up in the Morning?

Recognizing the talent, drive, and uniqueness in each Girls Write Now mentee gets me up in the morning. Though writing is mostly a solitary act - all writers need community - especially in youth. Being a part of this community and witnessing mentees blossom is both exciting and gratifying.

What Makes the Girls Write Now Work Environment So Special?

It’s a delight to work alongside incredibly intelligent, generous, and creative people who value community and have an unyielding passion for writing. It’s no secret that the arts are undervalued in our society. I’ve found myself defending my pursuit of poetry time and time again throughout my journey.

However, it’s such a relief to be in community with people who simply ‘get it’.

What’s Your Superpower?

My superpower is sensibility. Though I didn’t always consider this to be a positive attribute, being able to feel things deeply informs the work I do at Girls Write Now. This is particularly helpful in forming bonds with mentees and fostering an environment in which their creative work and personal development can thrive.

Morning Person or Night Owl?

A morning person through and through! I feel that I have the most energy early in the morning. Also I couldn’t be a night owl if I tried. I struggle staying awake past 10pm!

When did you first feel like an adult?

Moving out of my hometown to New York City really solidified my feeling like an adult. In retrospect, building a life for myself independent of everything I had ever known sounds petrifying. Yet I was unafraid and overjoyed to be embarking on a new journey.

Oh - and it was all during a global pandemic.

Which Family Member had the Greatest Impact on You?

My late grandmother has had the greatest impact on me. She was a radiant person with an abundance of confidence, wisdom, and style. She taught me to stand up for myself and showed me that I can create whatever life I want.

Best Advice You’ve Ever Received:

“There are 365 days in a year, you’re bound to have some bad ones.”

It’s been constructive for me to consider this and put things into perspective. I’ve learned to take the good with the bad and to always show gratitude.

If you belong to the Girls Write Now community and have a story to share, please reach out to us at communications@girlswritenow.org.

Tell Us about Your Life@GWN  

My Life@GWN has been filled with friendship. I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the smartest, most creative people out there—and am blessed enough to call them not only colleagues, but friends. I’d also like to shout out all the mentees and mentors I got to work with this past year; it’s been such a rewarding experience to read your writing, hear your feedback, and be witness to your creativity.

What About Doing Those Things Gets You Up in the Morning?

The idea of bearing witness; much of my day is bearing witness to the creativity and prowess of this community. This is really what gets me up in the morning, and encourages me throughout my day.

What is it about the Girls Write Now Work Environment that You Find So Special?

My coworkers make it special. I can’t shout them out enough! They’re so caring and passionate about the work that they do, and it inspires me daily. 

What’s Your Superpower? How Does That Inform the Work You Do at Girls Write Now?

My superpower is making little jokes. I love a good laugh, and I love seeing people smile. If I can find a way to m

What’s Your Biggest Fear?

Loud noises! I’m scared of fireworks and concerts are hard for me. Looking for an ear plug investment in the near future…

Who Inspires You?

My older sister, Phoebe. She works in Indigenous food sovereignty and is the best cook I know. We try to FaceTime daily, but most days during the summer she’s at the farm, so it can be hard to reach her. I’ve never met someone so eloquent and caring, and she’s about to finish up her PhD! I’m so proud of her.

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee all the way. I have to make a cup in the morning or else I’m grumpy, but thankfully I don’t get headaches or anything.

If You Could Teach a Class in Something at Which you Excel, What Would that Be? 

Beading! I actually used to teach beading classes alongside my friend at the Native student house at Cornell, Akwe:kon. I’d love to teach beading again, beadwork is so important to me and a great, meditative way of expressing one’s creativity.

If you belong to the Girls Write Now community and have a story to share, please reach out to us at communications@girlswritenow.org.

How do Colleagues Benefit from Working with You as Opposed to Other Team Members?

I am a people whisperer, and do a good job of reminding people of how awesome they are.

When I get a sense of people’s strengths and possibilities, I am good at encouraging them to leverage them.  

Tell Us About the People Who Lift You Up?

In recent years I’ve become intentional about who I surround myself with. Among my inner circle, I am the love minister. To be fair, I’m grateful to be enmeshed in a circle of kind, loving, compassionate, and creative family and friends. My current squad, a soul nourishing synthesis, consists of both sides of my family…we are particularly close, gifting me a beautiful maternal and paternal alchemy of sides as one family unit.  We are ride or die, no doubt.

Add to that my partner, our mutual friends, and my lifelong homies. Although my squad is diverse, most of us are queer people of color who cultivate chosen family and community to keep us uplifted, affirmed, and connected in a world that isn’t always safe for us. The fabric of my friendships reminds me that healthy relationships don’t have to (and should not) conform to rigid cisnormative  and heteronormative models of love and family. 

My squad is magical!

What do Friends Know About You that would Surprise Your Colleagues?

I bring my full queer, GenX, feminist, Pisces, mermaid, healer, creative, intuitive self to my work so I can’t think of anything that would surprise my colleagues. Although a few new colleagues recently expressed surprise in my expanding tattoo collection.

What instantly makes every day better? 

My two Yorkies, King(ston) and Marley! Lots of cuddles and kisses! King binge watches TV and meditates with me. Marley loves belly rubs and snuggling up with my mom. They are my soul medicine.

Best Advice You Ever Received?

“Dawn, in life there will be times when you’ll need to apologize for what you’ve done. But you should never ever apologize for who you are.”

-Henrietta Shedrick, my paternal grandmother

I have passed that wisdom along to anyone who will listen. I believe I do it justice by living it as a model for others.  

I am an avid journaler, so my favorite quote-affirmation-call to action greets me beside my bed every morning because it’s inscribed into the first page of my journals (and often makes repeat appearances throughout…

“Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.”

-Zora Neale Hurston

What’s the Scariest Thing You’ve Ever Done, and Why Did You Do It? 

A few weeks ago, on Memorial Day, I took a trip to Petco to begin the process of conquering my lifelong debilitating fear of snakes. For most of my life I would get nauseous after seeing a picture of a snake. It stopped me from traveling to places with venomous snakes, visiting a family member who owned snakes, and countless other experiences. I decided earlier this year that I want to work on this, I’m ready for another level of courage and healing.  

It wasn’t as bad as I anticipated. I consider it successful because I didn’t lose consciousness. My sister accompanied me and kept me grounded. I actually felt a connection with the cute ball python you see in the pics. I’m not ready to pet or hold a snake just yet, but I feel good about this first step.

I am Multi-linguaI, Speaking Four Languages:

1. proper English with cuss words (my primary language)

2. proper English without cuss words

3. AAVE (African American Vernacluar English (the New York edition)

4. Pig Latin

Secret Keeper or Town Crier?

I am a secret keeper, without question. I’m holding onto some secrets that will accompany me to my future incarnations. I’m emotionally intelligent enough to know what tea I need to keep to myself, even if the person sharing it with me doesn’t explicitly ask.

And Finally, What Really Makes You Angry? What Makes You Feel at Peace?

Grrrrrr…

• Racism, misogyny, classism, anti-queerness and the other forms of oppression and folks’ refusal to acknowledge their existence in the everyday

• Meanness 

• Violence 

• Littering 

• Lies 

• Our dysfunctional health care system (a form of violence, in my opinion)

• Super long wait times on customer service call lines

Ahhhh…

• Bodies of water (remember, I’m a Piscean mermaid)

• The faint sounds of morning

• Meditation with aromatherapy

• At least 7 hours of sleep

• Lavender-lemongrass-butterly pea flower-peppermint-spearmint tea! (my own blend)

• A dark room aglow with candlelight

If you belong to the Girls Write Now community and have a story to share, please reach out to us at communications@girlswritenow.org.

Tell Us About Your Life@GWN

My Life@GWN inspires me. In my first year as a mentor, the experience has exceeded my expectations. I’ve wanted to be a Girls Write Now mentor for a long time. I had a writing mentor at fifteen which helped me enormously, so giving back something I received when I was in high school feels good. 

My mentee, Ayah Al-Masyabi, is one of the most talented young writers and artists I’ve ever met. Beyond her talent, Ayah is fun to hang out with on Zoom, where we talk about so many things, from soccer to boardgames to our pets, as well as our ideas for stories and what it’s like to have a visual mind. A similar depth happens during the GWN workshops and discussions I’ve participated in this year. 

In so many ways, Life@GWN reminds me of my four years at Smith College, where I discovered just how much Power, Energy, Intelligence, and unbelievable Creativity women possess. Women are the greatest untapped resource in the world.

I Am Proud Of…

I’m proud of my website The Grandmother Project, which I launched in March 2020 just as the pandemic started.

It has given me a place where I can put my lifelong interest in women’s history into focus. One day it occurred to me that we all have women in our lives who hold troves of knowledge, memories, and stories that have never been told to a wider audience. Talk about an untapped resource! I also like running a website—something I had no idea how to do beforehand—where this idea can grow. 

Hidden Talents or Hobbies? 

I used to draw and paint constantly, all the time, and did so through college. I started drawing when I was very young and developed a true talent for it, and even won some fine art awards and residencies. I stopped after college because I realized that what I really wanted to do was get my ideas across through writing, but of course I miss the feeling of drawing and the zone that exists there, when you pay close attention to the lines and shadows before you and recreate them by hand. It is a lot like writing, but there’s enough difference, which probably has to do with how much more silence there is in drawing. I feel lucky that my Mentee Ayah also understands this, because she draws and paints as well.

What Makes You Feel At Peace?

Certain family moments make me feel so grateful, which is a peaceful feeling. I’ve recently come to appreciate how fleeting those moments are, and that we have to savor them whenever they come around. I say “thank you” inside my mind sometimes when we sit down for dinner, play a game, or find a moment to all laugh about something. My two sons are growing up quickly, so whenever we spend time together, I feel like I can do everything I ever wanted to do just by staying in that moment. 

Best Book You’ve Read Recently? Why? 

I read Annie Ernaux’s The Years in a matter of a few nights, which is rare for me because I read slowly and like it that way. But The Years flew by (ha!) because of the way she structures it, with shortened segments, flashes of images, and descriptions of moments that caught my imagination and made me feel part of a whole life. It is a masterful novel and a powerful statement about the lives of women everywhere.

Are You an Organ Donor, and How Did You Come to That Decision?

I am an organ donor, and that is something I felt strongly about when I was sixteen and getting my driver’s license and only feel more strongly about now as a mom. I think our bodies, and minds, are here for more reasons than just for ourselves. In other words, if I can give part of me to someone who needs it, and who will survive because of it, then for me that’s a no-brainer.

Do You Believe in Ghosts?

I absolutely believe in ghosts. I believe in presences that our insight can feel but not see, and that these presences are everywhere. My belief in ghosts comes very close to my feeling about the people I write about. The characters I create in my mind and (hopefully) “bring to life” on the page are ghosts in many ways—they are energies that come from someone somewhere in my past and present. There’s a great moment in Edith Wharton’s ghost story “Afterward” when she makes the thrill of this recognition palpable for the reader. A ghost is like fate: you only know what it is in retrospect. I don’t think this is scary at all. It’s ground-shaking.

Picking Yourself Back up After Making a Mistake…HOW? 

I’ve made many mistakes in my life, many, many. I think what helps pick me back up are other people. I’ve always loved people, and I admire them intrinsically. If I make a mistake, being honest with myself and with the people I love, that picks me up and sets me off on the best path I could be on.

If you belong to the Girls Write Now community and have a story to share, please reach out to us at communications@girlswritenow.org.

How I Became Involved with Girls Write Now

I joined Girls Write Now as a mentor in 2018. My then-boyfriend (now husband!) had volunteered for years with a math tutoring and mentorship organization and took me to one of his Sunday morning tutoring sessions. While no one would want me to teach them math, it inspired me to look for an organization where I could do something similar in what I do know--writing--and thankfully I found Girls Write Now.  

Learning From My Mentees

During my time with Girls Write Now, I have had the pleasure of working with two different mentees, Saony Castillo and Rachel Kelly. Both of my mentees have been passionate about film, and as someone with more of a writing and journalism background, it was an exciting challenge for me to work with them both on writing screenplays and making films. They've both inspired me deeply and taught me so much through their creativity, determination, and resilience.

In addition to writing together in coffee shops, Saony and I also spent our sessions exploring new parts of New York together, from the Cloisters to K-Town. Rachel and I were partnered together throughout Covid, and I even starred in multiple of her short films via Zoom! You can see me featured in the promo image for her short film "Nothing is Normal," where I played a very serious, no-nonsense teacher named Ms. Scott. 

Passionate about Philanthropy & Giving? Yeah, and Here's Why You Should Be as Well

Every one of us owes so much to those who have helped us along the way. I wouldn't be where I am today without the teachers, mentors, and others who invested their time, energy, and effort into me. I hope through my involvement with Girls Write Now to be able to pay some of that forward by helping to invest in others. 

Your Turn. Get Excited

I have sung the praises of Girls Write Now to countless people over the last five years. I will never forget one of my earliest GWN workshops, when we studied poetry and heard from a guest speaker who worked as a copywriter in advertising - a job centered around the creative and melodic use of words in ways analogous to poetry. The combination of learning creative expression while also helping mentees to see how they can turn their passions for writing into careers highlighted for me what makes this organization so valuable and important.  

If you belong to the Girls Write Now community and have a story to share, please reach out to us at communications@girlswritenow.org.

If I Came With A Warning Label…

It would say, 

“she’ll get it with or without you.” 

Now, I was always a little spoiled, but I think it developed into great resilience and ambition for the things I want and deserve. I am terribly afraid of bugs, but my biggest fear is holding the burden of regret. If there is an opportunity that I see and want, I always aim to go for it without doubting myself because I’d rather do it wrong than not do it at all.

When I’m not actively working towards my goals, I’m focusing on my mental health. This quote speaks near and dear to the way life goes, which is why I love it so much. Kurt Vonnegut said,  

“Some days life is about your dreams, hopes, and visions for the future.  But there are some days when life is just about putting one foot in front of the other.” 

Every time I read it, it reminds me that it’s okay not to always be enthusiastic, or productive, or able to give 110%. Over time, I’ve gotten better with acknowledging my ‘off days’ allowing myself to be there. To remedy those days, I find peace in surrounding myself with beautiful things– whether I’m going on an evening walk watching the sunset, or going out with friends to a musical event; it’s all beautiful to me.

Aside From Necessities, 

I can’t go a day without peeking at social media; it inspires me and jumpstarts my creative flow everyday. My biggest inspirations include Yara Shahidi, Marsai Martin, and Zendaya. Role models to whom I can relate, they have greatly influenced my aspirations for a non-traditional career. I love that they advocate for community wellness and connection by doing the things that bring them joy. I’ve always had a love for  writing, and my sole drive focuses on unpacking the memories of my life, the standards of society and my imagination of what this world could be. So much of that was informed by my experience as a Girls Write Now mentee. I completed Writing 360 in 2021. During that time, I wrote a letter to myself about self-worth…

I have demons that they’ll spend a lifetime fighting. Grades will slip, friends will come and go, self-worth will even leave you in the darkness. Your demons will forever be, but it’s time you stopped fighting. It’s not your fight, nor is it mine either. It’s about our spirit shining light on the parts of us that’ve been dark for years. 

“ If Only You Knew” by Natalie Henry

Final Thoughts? 

Don’t be afraid to take up space! It took a while for me to understand the simple things in life because I was afraid to show up as I am. During quarantine, being behind the screen helped me find myself without any perceived judgment from others. Find your solo space where you can exercise self-expression, that way your light isn’t dimmed when you show up anywhere else. : D

Final Thoughts from Girls Write Now…

Watch out, world! This is only Natalie’s beginning.

If you belong to the Girls Write Now community and have a story to share, please reach out to us at communications@girlswritenow.org.

Tell us about Your Life@GWN

Being a Girls Write Now Mentor and community member is a joy, providing me a way to give back and share my decades of life experience both as a writer and a person-who has navigated some wild rides. What I particularly like about mentoring is the one-on-one time I get to spend with my mentee, digging deeper into her goals as a writer, something I don’t get with my regular college students since they come and go each semester. I love the workshops and all I’ve learned from the diverse group of experts who present and share their wisdom. Girls Write Now is a remarkable program, and it is an honor to be involved.

I am most at peace being near trees hearing birds, especially owls, seeing stars at night, or falling asleep on a boat, rocking in the water. Since I live in NYC, none of these things happen often enough, so I settle for consuming books and inhabiting other worlds through the writing of others, with a cup of tea nearby and my cat on my lap.

The Best, the Best, and the Best

The best advice I ever received was to imagine what I’d do if I didn’t need money and then try to incorporate some element of that, no matter how small, into my professional life. We spend a lot of time working and if we only do jobs for money but don’t enjoy them, smashing down our passions, then we become miserable. Although those options are rarely easy,  there is often some small way to bring joy into even the most mundane work.  Doing so proactively helps us keep in balance and honor our souls. After working for the past 45 years, I can verify that this strategy is a good one.

The best compliment I ever received was being thanked for the work I did with the United Nations,  advocating for the needs of women and men living with HIV. In those moments, I knew that my hard work not only had been worth it, but that individuals actually benefited and, in turn, their lives were improved or their work had been facilitated so they could help others. We don't always see the results of our labor, so that compliment made my heart sing.

The best career decision I’ve ever made was to leave a job when I was burned out. I knew that if I stayed, I would no longer be effective in my job and not only would I be doing a disservice to my employer, I’d be ruining my own emotional well-being. As I saw the signs, I looked for opportunities so I could step away before it was too late. I had to acknowledge that my creative soul didn’t always fit in bureaucratic boxes and while I probably missed out on the perks that come with climbing a career ladder, the inner peace is worth every penny-pinching move to maintain balance in my life. Knowing when a job has become untenable and/or toxic is a superpower. 

Teaching a Subject I was Born to...

The universe smiles upon me. 

I actually get to teach a class in which I excel, ENG101. It might seem like a boring class one simply has to take, but for me, through the structure of writing for academia, I teach my students to find their voice on the page. From my perspective, it is a social justice course put to use through the mechanics of writing. In helping my students discern what they want to say and how to fit it into the constraints of academia, they fine tune their own truths to amplify their voices. It is my hope that they come away from the course knowing not only how to write several styles of essays and a research paper within which they can still express themselves and that, most importantly, they have the right to do so. For research papers, I have them include sources on human rights, locally, nationally, and globally, as well literary sources so they make the link to the power of writing. Their papers always astound me at the depth and importance of the topics they tackle. My students give me hope for our collective future.  I feel blessed to share my life experience and skillset so they can benefit and take the work forward.

What Advice Would You Give to Your 10 Year-Old Self?

“Finally, you’re doing what you love!”

10-year-old Martina might be impressed and say “finally, you’re doing what you love!” It was a long journey, but I did become the storyteller young Martina had always been. Young Martina always imagined a better world where she did what SHE wanted, and at long last, that Martina inhabits the world full-time. It took a long time, overcoming many obstacles including an HIV diagnosis at 28-years-old, a failed, abusive marriage, and three years with long-COVID resulting in permanent damage to her left eye. But 10-year-old Martina is proud of her never giving up and, above else, in finding her voice and turning that volume up to LOUD!

What One Thing Would You Change About Your Life?  

To live somewhere quiet, and closer to family. I miss nature and quiet; urban life has worn me down. As I age, I miss being in close proximity to my sisters, brothers, and many niblings and great niblings. I missed my niblings early years as I worked and traveled, living abroad for my previous career with the United Nations, and I don’t want to miss out on their children’s lives. My goal is to move back to Northern California soon where I can have both nature and family nearby.

If you belong to the Girls Write Now community and have a story to share, please reach out to us at communications@girlswritenow.org.

My Life@GWN...

...has been adventure-filled. As a poetry mentee between 2014-’16, I was excited and nervous about learning new forms. I quickly grew to love the fun workshop environment, along with end-of-year readings! Performing on stage was exhilarating, and I was grateful for the privilege to listen to fellow mentee’s hearts alongside mentors sharing their work. I also had cool opportunities; appearing on a morning news segment, Street Talk, with my mentor Linda and Girls Write Now founder and Executive Director Maya Nussbaum. Linda and I also got to share the stage, performing at the 2016 Girls Write Now awards! 

People tell me that they don’t normally like or get poetry, but that they really like my poems. I pride myself on being authentic in my writing, so that means a lot to me. Authenticity for me means rejecting the highly cherished, conventional writing standards of the old white male pioneers in the field. And while their work was great, there’s room for innovation. I consider myself and my writing rebellious. I write for the people who can relate to that.

 “What Do You Have to Lose?”

Pairing with Linda is one of the best things that’s happened to me. When I wasn’t at a Girls Write Now workshop, Linda and I sought out writing inspiration at art museums, tried out food in new restaurants followed by writing sessions, or rode the Cyclone and tried clams at Coney Island. 

Linda continues to be a positive role model. We continue to face new challenges together and she’s helped me conquer my fears. She recently came to Connecticut to teach me how to drive! More than navigating confidently behind the wheel, Linda taught me,

 “What do you have to lose? The worst that could happen is you get a no.” 

With her encouragement, I applied and was accepted into the Princeton University Journalism program the summer before my senior year of high school. Her guidance informs my decisions to this day. You never know what opportunities you’ll run into, without taking a chance. 

Linda’s advice has taught me to be fearless across many circumstances I’ve faced. In my junior year at Connecticut College, I wrote an open letter to an organization called the Women’s Empowerment Initiative. Formerly “The Vagina Monologues” the goal of the organization is to “perform a show that represents women and non-binary students across varying identities through unique, but unifying voices.” However, based on my own personal experience performing, as well as listening to concerns of other women of color, we felt there was a lot of tone policing for pieces submitted by people of color, and an overall lack of representation of certain, less “palatable” but very real experiences and voices. This was nerve-wracking because I’m naturally very reserved and stay to myself. However, I’m always willing to put myself out there to advocate. It was very well received and I’m glad I spoke up. 

Movies, Holidays, and Well Made Cups of Coffee

Christmas is my favorite time of year, and Jim Carrey was absolutely MADE to play the Grinch who stole Christmas. Besides movies, I enjoy watching vet shows, and animal videos on TikTok. I own five pet rats, Gus Gus and Geronimo, and girls Missy, Raven, and Persimmon (Percy for short.) I feed them treats, play with them, and ride them on my shoulder as I walk around the house. 

I only drink coffee or tea for practical reasons; coffee for a morning boost, tea when I’m sick. A well-made cup of coffee, however, can really change my day. 

If you belong to the Girls Write Now community and have a story to share, please reach out to us at communications@girlswritenow.org.

As Publishing 360’s Community Manager, my professional Life@GWN is planning project-based programming and workshops taking writing skills developed in Writing 360 and Writing Works and applying them to special publishing projects. This year’s projects include a book celebrating Girls Write Now’s 25th Anniversary and an original mentee-authored digital zine. My success is measured in giving mentees opportunities to share their voices, tell their stories, and express their feelings without first needing to impress a largely white, male, privileged publishing industry. Publishing 360 gives them a space to shine. 

Time Off?

Well. I’m a millennial, so I rarely take it, opting to check Slack and email when not working; it’s not the best for my mental health, neither is it something anyone expects. HOWEVER, I am a work in progress, unlearning the lies that tie our value to being good worker bees who forego our mental health for our jobs. I believe wholeheartedly in our intrinsic value as people. Each of us decides what holds meaning in our lives. I find my work at Girls Write Now deeply meaningful. When I choose to work after hours, it’s usually because it’s my choice. I also find value in time with my fiance, family, friends, and, especially, in time with myself. Work may be an important part of what I do, but it is not who I am. (And I promise to take all my PTO days this year!)

Within my circle, I am the mediator of almost any group discussion. I keep things calm, helping people to understand one another's perspectives, coaxing people through tough conversations with grace and kindness. In writing groups, I try to understand what might have prompted a writing choice so that we can work together to convey what needs conveying. I love the feeling of getting through a conversation where everyone feels seen, heard, and known.

Death, Sex, & Religion

Before reading this, most colleagues won’t know that my three favorite writing topics are death, sex, and religion. I love complicated topics rich in nuance and intrigue and I’m obsessed with asking questions about why we’re here, how we create meaning, and what we owe each other. Anyone engaging me in small talk experiences how quickly the conversation can find its way into a contemplation of the true meaning of life—which likely involves me shrugging and saying we’re all just “meat sacks with feelings” (clearly I’m super fun at parties). I don’t hide this from colleagues, but would never want to make anyone uncomfortable. There’s a time and place for conversations about big, tough topics, it’s known as Happy Hour!

I am super proud of the fact that I finished writing a whole novel, begun in my senior year of college. Over the last ten years, I learned so much about myself, through three drafts, drawing ever closer to the story I knew I could tell. The writer’s journey, conceiving, editing, querying, sending it to agents, weathering rejections, is not for everyone. I view it as my own sisyphean task —not waiting for relief, finding joy in the endless process. I am proud of myself for writing it, and for trusting myself enough to love it with my whole heart.

I am also super proud of my little sister, Faith, born when I was thirteen. Every time she looked up at me,  from the first time with her big, blue eyes - I knew unconditional love. At twenty, Faith is an incredible woman, who changed me in ways I didn’t know my life needed change. She let me know I could feel the love that is always close to the surface for me. I’ll never stop thanking her for that.

I adore our adopted one-year old maltipoo Scout, the most anxious creature ever known. She’s a very smart rescue from Texas,  picks up tricks super quickly, very snuggly, but also gets very spooked at the slightest noise.It’s an absolute joy to have her in our lives; we are thrilled to be able to parent our baby girl together!

Snow may be among the single most romantic things that has ever happened to me. On November 11, 2023, I will marry the kindest person I’ve ever known. When I think of my most romantic moments - he’s at their center. 

Eschewing sweeping grand gestures, I prefer romance in the small, quiet things; 

• amid newly fallen snow when he told me he loved me for the first time, 

• his smiling at me after moving in together, still living out of boxes with half-painted walls and he smiled at me and said, “It’s really lovely coming home to you,” 

• and his comment upon finishing a draft of my novel…he just kept saying how amazing it was that I’d really made it all up.

Of course, I think of the moment on December 11, 2022, when he asked me if I would marry him, huddled together in a cozy Airbnb, as the snow returned to wish us well.

Commence Wedding Planning...

If you belong to the Girls Write Now community and have a story to share, please reach out to us at communications@girlswritenow.org.

“Girls Write Now is about supporting and mentoring young women and gender expansive youth who are passionate about writing…but it is also about beginning your career journey and beginning to understand the transformative power of the written word.” 

Welcome to Life@GWN

Actor, writer, and storyteller Clio Contongenis is New York City since day one. A self described cat mother, bibliophile, and occasional gremlin, her credits include mentee alum of the Girls Write Now program now known as Writing 360. Although she finished the program in 2010, she will forever be one of us. Why? We’ll let her tell you, in her own words…

"I loved my time at Girls Write Now. Working with professional female writers was part of what gave me the confidence to pursue a career in the arts myself. I’m so honored that a piece I wrote all those years ago had an effect on someone now, and I want to do whatever I can to help this program continue to make such an important impact on young girls’ lives. 

I am now a working actor. The most exciting part of my job is embodying different characters and affecting an audience with the story I’m telling. Philip Pullman, one of my favorite authors, once said something I love: “Without stories, we wouldn’t be human beings at all.”  

I love being a part of an art that continually tries to remind us of our humanity.  Of course it’s challenging to keep my work fresh and immediate, and acting can often be very painful, but I’d say the challenges are well worth the reward. My 10-year-old self would be thrilled with what I do now! 

Growing up, it’s always difficult to believe you’ll “make it” as an artist (“making it" for me is having a sustainable, realistic career doing what you love), but I don’t think there’s any other career that would have made little Clio happy. 

The best advice I’ve ever received is to risk, embrace, and learn from failure.  I hope I’ve been able to pass it on. While my “only-human” self does wallow in my mistakes for a while after making them, when inevitably the world does not come to an end, I remind myself that mistakes are a part of life, and that I’m only stronger for having made them and lived through them. I try to figure out what went wrong, and learn from it. 

The best compliment I ever received was actually in a recent email from an old college professor of mine. He said: “You have a way of giving up your truth to the character that is both self-sacrificing and self-affirming in the most thrilling proportions, creating a new life.” 

I’ve always been an obsessive reader, and it remains one of my favorite hobbies— if “hobby” is the right term for a lifelong passion. I’m also a bit of a baseball fanatic, which I got into after spending too much downtime with a good friend of mine while working on a play. I help to run an alternative theater program for public high school students, and as one of the adult artists, I try to encourage them to risk making fools of themselves, and to help them see that it is through that brave, joyful exploration that they'll discover new dimensions of themselves. 

FUN FACT: I have never believed in ghosts, but I’m starting to think my cats are pretty good at making contact with them, so I may be changing what I believe. I don’t think I’d be afraid of them, though. If they are around, I guess they must just be trying to hold on to a little bit of what it’s like to be alive, and I certainly can’t blame them for that.

If you belong to the Girls Write Now community and have a story to share, please reach out to us at communications@girlswritenow.org.