Unofficial Correspondences
Curated by Morayo Faleyimu; Art Designed by Kathryn Destin
Our Unofficial Correspondences collection features letters written by Girls Write Now mentees and mentors to each other, their former selves, and the world at large. As you read and watch these intimate works, consider the fateful letters you have received and written in your life. To whom would you write your next letter?
Dear You by Julia Mercado
You are the one who never washed your hair, wore the same sweater every day and smiled wide with blue braces. You are the one that bad days are based on. I feel we need to talk and now’s the chance.
Letters to Our Mothers by Rachel Young & Elizabeth Koster
We have spoken so much about our relationships with our mothers that it only seemed natural we would both write letters to them that express our fond memories and wishes.
Letters to a Young Poetess by Gabrielle Calabia and Kiki Tom
Inspired by Rilke’s Letters To A Young Poet, Letters To A Young Poetess is the feminized and updated homage by Kiki Tom and Gabriella Calabia. Beginning a written correspondence upon being paired as mentor and mentee, the two delve into sharing thoughts, questions and feelings about writing and what it takes to share one’s voice.
Pandemic Letters: The Wind or a Leaf Stuck to the Sidewalk by Emma Kushnirsky & Robin Messing
After reading the poetic correspondence between Natalie Diaz and Ada Limón entitled “Envelopes of Air,” we decided to write poetic letters to one another, which naturally interrogated our feelings and thoughts during a pandemic.
Dear Friend by Lizbeth Fuentes Ascencio
This piece is dedicated to my younger self who deserves the recognition for keeping her head high through all the downfalls presented throughout her life. With all my faults and mistakes, yesterday’s me is still me.
Dear Struggling Writers by Jennifer Puac
If you are someone who struggles to write and are in need of motivation, take a few minutes to read my letter dedicated to you. Yes, you!
Dear Mr. President by Alicia Galan
I know you hold yourself up on a pedestal, but nothing you say is ever so profound.
Dear Mr. White Privilege by Jaela Vaughn
My teacher told my classmates and I that white privilege doesn’t exist. This is my open letter to him.
Dear Kanye by Danni Green
“I'm not in a tough situation, Kanye. But if I don’t get out of the house on Wyckoff Street I will be, but it’ll be My Life. It’ll be a husband I don’t love, an affair to make me feel alive, a checking account with a zero balance, a job that’ll brand me Good Enough and children whose faces ask, What’s for dinner?”
