Empower Young Writers

Barbie Dream Gap Project is organizing this fundraiser to benefit Girls Write Now.

Tax deductible

Girls Write Now is a powerhouse of voices that have been ignored or silenced for too long. We are a pipeline of talent into schools and industries in need of different perspectives. As a community, we follow our hearts and—through bold, authentic storytelling—inspire people to open theirs. We are Girls Write Now. For 25 years, Girls Write Now has been breaking down barriers of gender, race, age and poverty to mentor the next generation of writers and leaders who are impacting businesses, shaping culture and creating change.

Girls and gender expansive youth are growing up in a time when educational inequalities and gender disparities still prevail. In co-ed settings, girls and gender expansive youth often do not receive the same attention that boys do. This disparity impacts their academic performance, hinders their ability to form friendships, and affects their comfort level when discussing adolescent issues.

Credit: Emily Coppel and Sarah Wever

Girls Write Now builds a strong foundation of skills, networks and lifelong relationships that open doors and change lives. We rank in the top 4% of programs nationwide for outstanding performance driving social-emotional growth for youth and 100% of mentees show a significant increase in positive identity each year.

Mentees publish in the New York Times, BuzzFeed, Girls Write Now's award-winning anthology and on our digital platforms with viewers around the globe. Girls Write Now programs provide college and career readiness with writing as the gateway. We are proud to report 100% of senior mentees go on to college - Harvard, Howard, Hunter, and many more. We place mentees at jobs and internships across industries from publishing to entertainment to media and beyond.

Credit: Richelle Szpulski

Girls Write Now offers a holistic combination of arts education and comprehensive support through three programmatic tracks to nearly 700 combined mentors and mentees annually. All programs involve a yearlong one-to-one mentorship and community-based curriculum that culminates in publication and presentation. Each program offers a different approach:

Writing360 introduces a diverse selection of genres and media
Publishing360 focuses on advanced multimedia works and editorial skill-building; and
Writing Works provides college and career readiness with writing as the gateway.

Other initiatives open across programs and to the public: Friday Night Salon Series, Community Chats, Girls Write Now Live performance series, annual award-winning anthology and more.

As a recipient of the Barbie Dream Gap Project, Girls Write Now will continue to provide high school girls and gender-expansive young adults ages 13-24 by sponsoring writing and publishing programs and introducing role models to inspire these next generation of writers and leaders.

Credit: Dominique Taylor
Main image credit: Richelle Szpulski

WHAT IS THE DREAM GAP?
Research shows that starting at age five, many girls begin to develop self-limiting beliefs and think they're not as smart and capable as boys. They stop believing their gender can be anything. This critical time in girls’ development when they begin losing confidence is called the Dream Gap. The Dream Gap creates barriers for girls to reach their full potential, which can negatively affect and inhibit their future trajectory or career choices. Early indicators suggest that for Black girls, the impact is even larger and this self-perception at a young age can be detrimental. 

THE BARBIE DREAM GAP PROJECT FUND
Barbie established the Dream Gap Project Fund with $250K in March 2019 to fuel efforts to close the Dream Gap. No matter how big or small a donation, every bit counts. Your support will go towards leveling the playing field for girls, by providing tools, resources, and support to organizations on the ground working to change the lives of girls around the world.