2013 | Past Issues with Pre-Writing Activities | Resources | Educator's Praise for Women's Perspectives
Women’s Perspectives: A Journal of Writing and Art by Adult Learners
Women's Perspectives is a journal of writing and original artwork by adult learners. ALL students in literacy and basic education programs are encouraged to participate. The publication comes out annually in March and focuses on a specific theme.
- Write! Make your voice heard.
- Read! Discover the viewpoints and experiences of adult learners.
- Learn! Gain information about women’s issues and concerns.
- Share! Use these writings in classrooms and book groups, or give to your friends.
CALL for Writings - Issue #8 - We Succeed!
Women’s Perspectives #8: We Succeed! Look what have we accomplished! will showcase original writings and artwork by adult literacy/basic education students across all levels. Student writers and artists are encouraged to reflect and to share ideas on the theme “We succeed.”
- What successful women do you know? What successful women have you heard about? How have they inspired you to grow and change?
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What accomplishments have you made? Who motivated you to succeed? How will this help you in the future?
- Tell the stories of great women who have made a difference. Share your success. Share the successes of those around you.
Guidelines for Participation
DEADLINE: March 31, 2013
The Women’s Perspectives Selection Committee does not edit the writings we receive (though we may make corrections of simple typos). Writers must send finished work.
All writing forms accepted:
- Stories: personal and creative
- Poems
- Opinion essays
- Advice
- Class or group-created writings or artworks are also accepted!
Criteria for Selection:
Originality, Creativity, Clarity, and Relevance to the theme.
Download the Tools You Need:
For more information and details, contact the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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Going to the conference was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. It was a big step for me because I had to read my personal story before a large audience. This is something I never would have had the courage to do before. It was a turning point in my life. I’m working hard to change my life and overcome my fears. It was a great experience for me. I got to hear another woman’s experience overcoming hardship, which pushed me to say my part. Receiving the honors award for my writing and having the chance to read my story at the conference was a big surprise to me because I struggle with low self-esteem, and I underestimate myself sometimes. My story was very personal, and I felt validated because people were affected by listening to me. Being recognized for my writing made me stronger. -- Wanda Garcia, So. Boston, MA, 2008 Honors Award Winner in Issue #3, Women & Money |
Resources
For students
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General Tips for Student Writers by Donna Jones, Adult Learner Leader and avid writer
For educators
Teaching & Learning with Women's Perspectives: A Resource Kit
This Resource Kit is FREE to Current WE LEARN members, both individuals and organizations. To receive your complete copy, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will email it to you.
If you are not a member and would like a copy, we encourage you to join us. Otherwise, you may purchase it for $20.00 through our For Purchase section.
- See the Table of Contents & Introduction
Educator Praise for Women's Perspectives
A Note to Educators…
Women's Perspectives showcases writings and artwork by adult literacy/basic education students across all levels. These collections provide a forum for ABE learners to consider and further their knowledge about a variety of issues relative to women's experiences that continue to impact their lives. We hope these collections will not only encourage students to reflect and write but to also learn from the each other through their stories and opinions.
San Diego
We are so excited here in San Diego. The San Diego Council on Literacy has funded my two students to come to your conference. They would like to read their essays….We are already practicing reading and we are working on what to see in Boston. Thank you and your organization for creating such a wonderful opportunity for students….We are very excited about our trip to Boston….Please let me inform you. It is unbelievable, what this trip has done for my students. Unbelievable. Thank you for this opportunity.
Follow-up…[The students] are doing very well. The opportunity to go to Boston has changed their lives. -- Marie Doerner, Learning Disability Specialist, San Diego Continuing Education, 2007
WE LEARN Note: Since writing this, Marie & one of the students have become WE LEARN Board members. Since then, several more students have written for Women’s Perspectives, won awards, and traveled to WE LEARN conferences.
Boston
Our program] serves low-income, at-risk mothers and their children….Literacy is a vital component of Julie’s holistic approaches to helping members achieve their goals. Over the past 2 years, JFLP has become increasingly involved in various WE LEARN projects. Our students have contributed writing and artwork to Women’s Perspectives, participated in the “Undoing the Silence” writing workshop… and spoken at the annual conference. The women have reported that their involvement in these projects has boosted their self-esteem and has made them feel more positive about both written and verbal self-expression….These are some of the ways in which WE LEARN has supported JFLP’s mission of increasing literacy and self-advocacy. In addition, the activities seem to have given the women a sense of being connected to something larger and alleviated feelings of isolation in their life struggles. -- Dorrie Nord, Julie’s Family Learning Program, South Boston, MA, 2008
North Dakota
I just want you to know how much I appreciate that you sent two copies of the Journal. When the package arrived I called [my student], and she was so excited that she came directly to my home. (She couldn't even wait till the next day when I would've brought it to work.) She arrived with her two year-old [boy] and her boyfriend….[student] and her boyfriend sat silently on the couch paging through the journal and re-reading her essay. It was such a sweet sight. She really cherished the card you sent, and of course she was excited about the [Honors Award] check. Her local newspaper on the reservation did a huge front-page article about her achievement, and so did her college newspaper. I know you hear many stories of how your organization has touched the lives of women, but this event (her getting published) has made a huge impact on the life of this beautiful young Native woman, her family, her college, and her tribe. -- Tanya M. Spilovoy, Teacher, United Tribes Technical College, Bismarck, ND, 2009
Toronto
I received the two copies of Women’s Perspectives as well as the Certificate of Participation for [student 1]….[Student 2]’s participation in WE LEARN has had so many ripple effects, here are a few that I have seen…. Reading the Women’s Perspectives publication has shown [the students] and me the names of other Ontario and Canadian literacy learners who also submitted stories to WE LEARN and were published. We didn’t know about each other until we saw the full collection of stories. We will use this information to find ways to connect more as a result. -- Nancy Friday, AlphaPlus Centre, Toronto, ON, 2010
Coming Soon!
VIDEO CLIPS of students reading their work at Student Writing celebrations
