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EXSSA-USA Continues to Shine the Light on Women Making an Impact in Celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month.

Keren Taylor is Bridging Gaps of Inequality through Mentoring.

ExSSA USA’s Dr. Joyce Ashuntantang conducts an interview with Keren Taylor, 2014 CNN Hero and Executive Director of WriteGirl, to highlight the positive impact of girl empowerment on this International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. WriteGirl is a creative writing and mentoring organization that promotes creativity, critical thinking and leadership skills to empower teen girls. In 2013 Keren’s organization, WriteGirl, received from the White House, the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, the highest national honor awarded to such programs. ExSSA USA, in line with its mission to empower girls recognizes women who are bridging gaps to ensure gender equality through empowerment. Keren Taylor exemplifies women wielding their power to bring change to issues affecting women and give them the tools to bridge inequality, advance themselves, their families, and communities.

Joyce Ashuntantang: Who was Keren Taylor before Writegirl.org?

Keren Taylor: Before I started WriteGirl, I was a singer/songwriter in New York City, a freelance writer, a tour guide, and a sales rep, among other things. I worked as an event planner and worked for various nonprofits – it was difficult to really find my way, find the path I wanted to be on. I studied International Relations in university, and thought that I might want to join the Foreign Service. But I changed my mind, moved to New York and focused on developing a career in music. Over time, it became clear to me that I didn’t want to be a performer – I was asked to lead some songwriting and poetry workshops for teens in New York, and it was then that I knew I wanted to invest myself in helping young people. I wanted to help bring people together, and I could see that teen girls were in great need of support, education and inspiration. I had many tremendous mentors as a teenager, so wanted to be a mentor to teen girls and pass on that energy and guidance.

Joyce Ashuntantang: How many years did you run Writegirl.org before people started taking notice?

In some ways, there were people who took notice of WriteGirl right away, even in the very beginning. When I first promoted the concept of WriteGirl to women writers, I was pleasantly surprised to receive responses from over 30 women. But now, after 14 years, we still have much work to do to promote our organization to individuals, organizations and the media.

Joyce Ashuntantang: What criteria do you use to admit girls to the program?

Keren Taylor: WriteGirl is open to all girls, 13 to 18. We recruit girls specifically from high-density schools in low income neighborhoods of Los Angeles, but we welcome girls from all backgrounds and areas. We have a strong network of teachers and counselors who help us reach out to underserved girls.

Joyce Ashuntantang: What an amazing project. What a profound impact. Looking back in your life can you point to a moment that prepared you for this mission?

Keren Taylor: In some ways, I feel like everything I have ever done has prepared me for the work I am doing now. I draw on everything I learned in business, in sales, in the music industry. But I continue to study, to attend conferences, to collaborate with others, to teach, and hone my skills as a nonprofit leader. I have much more to do, and much more to learn!

Joyce Ashuntantang: You tell us most of these at risk girls face incredible challenges, pregnancy, incaceration, violence in their family etc. What do you do not to be overwhelmed by the stories of these girls?

Keren Taylor: I am often very emotional when I hear what challenges our girls are facing every day. What calms me down is knowing that we truly offer a refuge and an inspiring environment for hundreds of girls. We can’t solve all of the issues, but we can help girls find and raise their voices, and give them tools to express their emotions, tell their stories, and develop the curiosity and critical thinking skills they need to set and achieve goals for themselves.

Joyce Ashuntantang: Once you are hit with the label “hero” some people stop seeing you as an ordinary person? What is ordinary about your life?

Keren Taylor: Oh gosh, I have so many ordinary things about me! I have only a few close friends and I’m only close to a few members in my family. I am learning how to garden, but I don’t really know what I’m doing yet! I get nervous walking into a room of people I don’t know. A few nights a week, I head home and watch a few hours of TV (ok – sometimes I work on my computer at the same time!)

Joyce Ashuntantang: What is your most treasured memory since you started this project?

Walking into the White House, visiting the East Wing, and receiving an award from First Lady Michelle Obama is a memory I will always cherish. That was an incredible experience, and a wonderful acknowledgement of the impact of WriteGirl.

oyce Ashuntantang:  Can you share some lessons learned from this project?

Keren Taylor:  I continue to learn so many things on this journey – I have a big list of things I’ve learned, but I know there is much, much more ahead, I’m sure of that! Here are a few key things I know: Remove yourself from naysayers – they just deplete your energy and creativity. Surround yourself with positive people, and people who have skills that you do not have. Keep a laserbeam focus on the mission, and allow your decisions to be shaped by their compatibility with the mission. Know when to share information, and when to draw boundaries. Take time to reflect, and take time to relax – you will be a better leader when you are clear and rejuvenated. Be committed to achieving specific results – it’s important to be able to show the exact impact you are having, not just talk about programs. Continue to cultivate your passion and compassion – you can never have too much of those qualities!

Joyce Ashuntantang: Some girls and women reading this interview may never get the kind of opportunity that WriteGirl offers, what quick tips can you give them to help them to give voice to their experiences?

Keren Taylor: Keep a journal. Write down your observations, your dreams, your fears. If you don’t have your journal with you, then write on a napkin or the back of an envelope. Great songs and stories have been written on scraps of paper! Read books – lots of them. Find the authors that excite you and immerse yourself in their work. Find a friend who you can share your writing with – someone who will encourage and support you, not judge or critique your creative ideas. Make lists – lists are a great way to just pour out ideas and brainstorm, without editing yourself. Incorporate different kinds of creativity as you go – draw, sing, improvise, build, sculpt. Your writing will be stronger as you develop your creative ideas overall.

Joyce Ashuntantang : Where do you see this project in the next 20 years?

Keren Taylor:Over the past couple of years, I’ve been working on building a stronger foundation for WriteGirl so that we can expand and bring the program to girls outside of Los Angeles, and outside of America. We have a very special program that could help so many girls, and I’m very excited about developing projects to help girls in schools and organizations around the world, and helping to train teachers in our innovative creative writing workshops and mentoring programs for girls. In the 20 years, I look forward to seeing the WriteGirl approach and philosophy embraced by girls, schools and organizations in multiple cities in the U.S., and in several countries. I have a lot more to accomplish!

 Joyce Ashuntantang:  Anything we don’t know about Keren that we should know?

Keren Taylor:  I am a jewelry designer and mosaic artist, although I don’t have much time to work on my art! I love making things from broken pottery, found objects and semi-precious stones. I enjoy the tactile aspect of making art and jewelry – it’s a great break from all the strategic planning, research and writing that I do with WriteGirl!

Joyce Ashuntantang: Thank you, Keren, for being an inspiration to so many girls and women.