Earlier in the week we shared news and information about WriteGirl, the innovative writing and mentoring program for young women that’s running a poetry drive to raise funds for the group’s workshops.

Showing our support, we purchased a “Girl Perspective” poem, which we just received and HAD to share!

The poem was written for us by Addissyn, a 15-year-old well beyond her years. Addissyn is going into the ninth grade and has been a participant in WriteGirl since the 2013 season. She loves writing, especially poetry, and spends her free time journaling and reading all the books she can get her hands on. Addissyn was an active participant in Student Leadership at her middle school and was named honorable mention in the first Los Angeles Youth Poet Laureate ceremony.

Never underestimate the power of a girl and her pen!

pretty faces

thats not all we are

we are a new kind of

generation

empowering an entire race

from the ground up

we do far more than he ever has done

women are a certain birth

of superheroes

oppressed and neglected

but

we don’t ever stop going

 

mothers – daughters – sisters

AND

doctors – lawyers – writers – store owners

we are more than this world

gives us credit for

while we work

we feed our children

take them to soccer

go on dates

get married

have a drink

go to a concert

 

women do not fill

one shape

we are thousands of bodies

building a better life

than any man could muster

finding ways to be happy

by making others happy too

we are the

roots branches and leaves

of the same tree

pretty block letters

carved into us like lies and truths

a smile even when the day sucks

we blow in the wind

encouraging a breeze

whispering tales of untold dreams

bathing our babies

and kissing our lovers

 

we are a kind of

superhero race

we don’t wear capes

or a flashy sign

we don’t need fancy shoes

to walk through life

or perfect hair

or girly clothes

hair gets wind blown

clothes are supposed to comfort

nails get chipped

 

we are still beautiful

still living life to the maximum capacity

feeding our children

bathing them

kissing our lovers

having a drink

 

we are a race of

superheroes

we’re going to shape

the future

we are more than just

 

pretty faces

– Addissyn, age 15

You can follow WriteGirl on Facebook and Twitter. Check out the group’s poetry drive here.