Before I talk about the point of this post I have a story, which is also kind of the point. Trust me, this will make sense soon. When I was in middle school my English teacher told me that I had a “gift” for writing. At a time in life when most of us feel awkward, nervous and self-conscious, someone told me I was good at something. From then on I decided that I wanted to write, even though I told myself that she probably said this to a lot of her students. I knew that not everything I wrote mattered. Some of it was bad. Some of it was good, but the idea stuck with me, and still has, that maybe I could write.
This post is not about me. It's about all of us. I've always felt that I express myself best in writing. I'm certainly not the best writer out there, but I do try to use my blog for things that I think matter, even though I sometimes end up writing about humorous quirks of life. I'm drawn to female writers whose voices inspire and empower me. People like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Rebecca Wells, Maya Angelou and so many more, who create a sense of pride in me, and make me think.
This post is about someone like that whom I've been lucky enough to know.
A friend from grade school and high school, who was in theater with me, is going after her dream and making strides in theatrical writing. Michelle is a real, bonafide writer. She writes in a way that I aspire to. But what's more, her own life journey is truly moving. Michele has endured a nightmare. It's a woman's greatest fear — rape. I urge you to read her story, published on “Hello Giggles” here. It's shocking, heartbreaking, somehow heartwarming, and makes you realize the power of girl-friendships. Also, it's superbly written.
Michelle is not alone in her story, and she knows that. She somehow mustered the courage to be open and active about what's happened to her. She is using her voice to tell stories about all women, and she's doing it in a way that makes us all feel more empowered. She's working on a play that “explores how social narratives influence gender identity in young girls.” She's going to England to continue her research for the play. And to do it, she needs support.
Michelle says, “Stories are the way that we understand the world.” I find this especially true. Isn't that what we're all doing? We all want to tell our story. Michelle is taking bold measures to do this. She is combining her painful experience with her exceptional skill to heal herself and the many women who share this story.
Her Tilt campaign is something I hope my readers will support. Michelle did not ask me to do this. This is something I believe in and feel so strongly about and hope you will too. Any amount will help.
Your contribution to this campaign can be the spark that ignites this important movement. I'm really proud to know someone who is not only making an impact, but is also living out her dream. As it happens, her dream benefits others — a win-win-win for us all. Click here to help!
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