GREAT GIFTS FOR WRITERS 

Look No Further!

We've Got You Covered

The holidays are fast approaching! If you haven't yet found the right present for the creative souls in your life, don't stress - we've found the perfect gifts to keep them inspired, centered, and feeling fabulous. 

Feel free to grab a little something for yourself too from our popular Girls Write Now Holiday Gift Guide!

LIFE@GWN BLOG

Up for the Challenge

Kayla Morgan's Life@ GWN

Kayla Morgan is up for the challenge. In her life as a writer, poet and finance professional, she has stepped up to the plate time and time again to make home runs out of every curveball life throws her way. Since starting at Girls Write Now during the pandemic, Kayla has been named a New York Youth Poet Laureate Finalist, a Scholastic Arts & Writing Award winner, NYC Youth Poetry Slam Finalist, Ned Vizzini Writing Finalist, and a Southern Poverty Law Center Community Poem Winner. All the while, she's pursued a career in finance, and after landing her first position with Girls Write Now partner, RBC Capital Markets, Kayla looks forward to being an investment banker this summer at Goldman Sachs.

FROM OUR COMMUNITY

Prompt of the Week

by Christiane Calixte, Community Studio Facilitator

Share something about your culture that you wish other people understood.

Join mentee Christiane Calixte at her Community Studio, "Joy, Resistance, and Change," where writers can explore authentic expression and exchange stories with people across cultures! Register for the next session on December 20.

EVENT RECAP

Bringing Creativity to Tech

Estée Lauder Companies Technology Team and Girls Write Now Join Forces For Creative Think Tank

Leading technology professionals from the Estée Lauder Companies gathered with the Girls Write Now community at the organization's headquarters in New York City. Participants took part in a panel on women in technology, networked across generations, and formed mini "think tanks" to collaborate on curriculum at the intersection of language, technology, and beauty. We are grateful for our longstanding collaboration with the Estée Lauder Companies through the WRITING CHANGE initiative, launched in partnership with poet and Girls Write Now champion Amanda Gorman.

COMMUNITY STUDIO

Building Your Social Media Presence: A Responsible Guide for Beginners

Tuesday, Dec. 17, 6-7 PM ET, Virtual

In this studio, participants will learn the essentials of establishing a meaningful and responsible social media presence. Designed for beginners, we'll explore how to create engaging content, build a personal or professional brand, grow a following, and connect with audiences thoughtfully. This studio aims to empower you to share your voice in the digital world with confidence and integrity.

Open to all mentees, all mentors, and members. If you don't yet have an account, it's easy to set one up and become a Girls Write Now Member. 

COMMUNITY STUDIO

Visual Storytelling: Comic/Cartoons

Wednesday, Dec. 18, 7-8 PM ET, Virtual

In this animated studio, join fellow comics and cartoon enthusiasts to explore writing and visual prompts inspired by visual storytelling genres. Stop by each month with your favorite writing and image-making tools to go on a new sequential adventure unleashing your inner visual storyteller.

Open to all mentees, all mentors, and members. If you don't yet have an account, it's easy to set one up and become a Girls Write Now Member.

COMMUNITY STUDIO

Speak Up:
Developing Effective Communication Skills for Life

Wednesday, Dec. 18, 9-10 PM ET, Virtual

In this community studio, participants will learn the basics of public speaking, debate, and dialogue. A room for thought-provoking conversations, collaboration, and courage. Disclaimer: Participation highly encouraged for this community studio. In this session, we'll build on what we learned in session one, explore the psychological and social impacts of debate (aka "blowing up the balloon"), and learn how to accept, think critically, and refute claims tactfully.

Open to all mentees, all mentors, and members. If you don't yet have an account, it's easy to set one up and become a Girls Write Now Member.

COMMITTEE MEETING

Committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging: Aligning Communications to Our Values

Thursday, Jan. 23, 7-8:15 PM ET, Virtual

The IV DEIB Committee, Intersectional Voices in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging held its inaugural meeting November 14th to discuss Girls Write Now’s Gender Identity Statement. At our January meeting, we look forward to your insights as we develop Community Guidelines for Slack, our primary peer-to-peer communications platform. This meeting is an ideal opportunity to review and test out Girls Write Now’s newly refreshed Values as a framework for decision-making and accountability, ensuring that our communications and values are in sync. The IV DEIB Committee plays a crucial role as recommendations from every meeting are shared with Girls Write Now leadership.

Open to all mentees, mentors, and silver members (alum). Both current & prospective IVDEIB committee members welcome.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Princeton University Press 

Editorial Associate

Princeton University Press (PUP) seeks a motivated, detail-oriented, and highly organized individual to support two acquisition editors. The Editorial Assistant will assist in the signing, development, and publishing of distinctive and outstanding books in anthropology, sociology, and religious studies, will serve as a liaison both between authors and the Press, and between departments within the Press. 

SCHOLARSHIP

Transgender First Scholarship

Transgender First

This is the first national scholarship exclusively dedicated to helping underserved transgender students get affordable access to a college education. The Transgender First National Scholarship can be applied to whichever higher education program you choose or are currently enrolled in at an accredited US-based university or college.

Due Date: December 31, 2024

WRITING CONTEST

Abingdon Theatre Company

Raise the Page, Uplift the Word: A BIPOC Festival of Short Plays

Seeking Playwrights, Directors, and Actors for Abingdon Theatre Company's upcoming Raise the Page, Uplift the Word: A BIPOC Festival of Short Plays in collaboration with AMT Theater. Abingdon Theatre Company continues to be committed to creating opportunities for all voices to be heard. With this in mind, ATC is thrilled to open submissions for their fifth annual festival of short plays; a festival shedding light on stories by people of color.

Due Date: December 20, 2024