"It's Girls Write Now where my writing is bound to be found": Girls Write Now thanks Michelle Obama

On November 4, The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities and First Lady Michelle Obama honored all Girls Write Now mentors and mentees at with a Coming Up Taller Award, distinguishing our community of as one of the top 15 after-school organizations in the nation. Watch clips of the ceremony on YouTube. Below, our girls thank Mrs. Obama in their own words.

Dear Michelle Obama
by Diamond Arriola, GWN Mentee

I just want to start off by sincerely stating my gratitude for your award given to Girls Write Now. This program means so much to me, as it does to you. Girls Write Now has inspired me to persevere in my writing goals as far as becoming a magazine writer and a well-known poet. They saw something in me and held my hand through each step of the way. I look up to my mentor- her name is Nakisha. She has inspired me to work in the same field that she does, writing for various types of magazines. Now is the time that our program, Girls Write now, looks up to you. Thank you so much for your dedication.

Sincerely,
Diamond

Like Words I Disappear
by Ceasia King, GWN mentee

I never thought I’d take so much away

Writing, thoughts coming in

Words seeping into the page

Sitting around girls who were here for the same reasons

Wondering, writing, watching speakers speak

Their words flowing so deeply into my confidence

Gaining insight into Liza Jessie Peterson’s “American Keloids”

Lines whispering loudly

41, 41, 50

Shots, and like words I disappear

Into the mood this program brings

So touching, so unseen

Transforming my undeniable way of being

And then

Leaving

an impression

With each session

Offering spaces

To reveal who I am

And why I’m here

Acceptance

Love

Passion for words

Stepping up so my poem would be heard

It’s Girls Write Now

Where my writing is

bound to be found 

An Invitation to Girls Write Now
by Nadia Misir and Soula Harisiadis, GWN Mentee-Mentor Pair

Hey, Michelle!  Do you like
supportive, smart, sassy groups
of people?  College essays, comic books,
and Chinese?  Brunch, bubble tea,
and a bunch of poems by me?
Are you curious about
adventures in Greece,
Delhi and airports in the Middle East?
Want to read some amazing writing
we think up at Starbucks without the coffee?
Then come visit us at GWN!