Other writers I respected liked my writing; they thought I had something to say. They listened to me . I felt heard. And so I wrote more. And more. And more. Now I call myself a writer. - WWfaC Participant
Since 1991 Women Writing for (a) Change has supported the lives of women and girls for whom writing is, or might become, an important spiritual, creative and therapeutic practice. Women and girls, ages 8-93 have attended semester classes, weekend and week-long writing retreats, and Saturday theme classes in which they experience the inspiration and safety created by expert teacher-facilitators, and a vibrant, hospitable container for evoking what is theirs to tell.
For six years, 1999-2005 Women Writing for (a) Change on the Radio published the words of women writers to a four-state audience with a radio show on NPR affiliate WVXU, 91.7 FM, as well as live web streaming of the program on the internet. The mission of the radio show was "to bring women to words, and the words of women to the world," and to manifest an alternative to divisive talk radio.
In late 2007, WWf(a)C entered into collaboration with Catherine of Siena Virtual College. Within cyberspace, the adventure and the quality of experience that stands behind our organization have been given an international and intercultural advantage.
The Women Writing for (a) Change Foundation promotes the accessibility of Women Writing for (a) Change programs to a wider and more diverse audience through its outreach programs and by scholarships for women and girls to attend WWf(a)C classes.
The Leadership Academy of Cincinnati licenses women to open Women Writing for (a) Change schools in other cities and states, and trains women to use WWf(a)C methods and practices in business, nonprofit, and educational settings. Writing for Change Consulting Group helps businesses and nonprofits craft more conscious and sustainable organizations through the use of writing, community-building and other practices of Women Writing for (a) Change model.
The Vision of all of these entities is the cultivation and integration of conscious feminine values , leadership and energy into an unbalanced, overly-masculinized world.
The uniqueness of Women Writing for (a) Change, is that attention is paid on a regular basis to what has come to be known as "Caring for the Container." Each class, every task group (e.g. radio production team, faculty, foundation board of trustees) pays regular and reverent attention to the quality of relationships, and of truth-telling, within that group. Because the work itself is about breaking the silences required of women for survival in culture as we have known it, we always write and speak about the gifts AND the challenges--about what is and what is not alive among us. Writing practice is a part of every gathering; the values of the school are evident across the board. Growth has been organic, coming from within the lives of the founder, faculty members, and the thousands of women who have written in WWf(a)C classes. We have created a sustainable model of learning, business, and community-building.
I wish I had experienced - at a younger age - the deep acceptance that I have been given at WWf(a)C. It has validated me and given me courage. I am more comfortable in the world, having experienced such profound acceptance and love. And I know that I am able to give something useful and good to the other women writers who share their inner selves with me. - Carol Stewart
