Women writers inspire girls

Imagine a place where your most vulnerable truths are shared. Imagine pillows set up in a circle around a table. The setting is inviting. Music plays lightly in the background as women and girls of all ages sit, scribbling away in their notebooks.

Women Writing for (a) Change has been slowly growing in Bloomington for the last six years. The organization’s overall mission is to provide learning opportunities for those who want to use writing as a creative process. For the past two years, the organization has made writing programs available for young girls.

“Every program we offer is not just about writing, but girls sharing their words. It’s about being able to tell your truth and say it aloud,” Project Director Beth Lodge-Rigal said. “They really give each other courage. It’s catching them at a very important part of their life. Writing is gently empowering them to step into their own voices.”

This year, Women Writing for (a) Change will participate in Bloomington’s Arts Week 2011. Through a workshop called Ekphrasis, girls between the ages of 10 and 17 will
have the opportunity to examine and write about art.

Artists will come in, show their work and discuss their creative processes with the girls. The girls will then write about the art and answer questions such as: What is an image? What do you see? What do you not see?

At the end of the workshop, members of the community are invited to a gallery presentation where they can view the art and hear these young women share their words.

Anna Raphael is a sixth grader at University Elementary and has been participating in Women Writing for (a) Change for two years. This year she will be a part of the Ekphrasis workshop. A writer at heart, Raphael said she quickly fell in love with the organization’s safe community feel.

“It’s about expression, not criticism,” Raphael said. “I like seeing my own writing and having it there as a memento. We talk about the raw writing process. The first draft is just itself, in a journal with scribbles. It reminds me that I’m human.”

Olivia Evans, a seventh grader at Tri-North Middle School, has been writing with Women Writing for (a) Change since she was in fifth grade. This year she will also participate in the workshop.

“I’m most looking forward to seeing what a painting makes me feel,” Evans said. “At Women Writing for (a) Change, you won’t be judged on what you write about. They will understand what’s going through you.”

As Women Writing for (a) Change grows, it attracts truly passionate writers. Together, they are creating a safe and warm community.