Baldwin Write Now is an annual program designed to introduce our students to highly accomplished female authors and other professionals in the publishing, literary and communications fields. Each year several authors and industry leaders visit the school, attend classes, host writing workshops, and serve as mentors for our students. Baldwin girls have the opportunity to interact one-on-one with the writers, ask for advice, share their personal work and even create long-term connections with these respected role models.

2012-2013 Program This year's Baldwin Write Now program will feature the following accomplished authors: October 10, 2012: Kate Light November 16, 2012: Marilyn Nelson March 4, 2013: Kim Bridgford

March 2013 Recap: Kim Bridgford On March 4, award-winning poet Kim Bridgford visited Baldwin as part of Baldwin Write Now. She shared her poetry, her advice for young writers, and her critical eye with Baldwin's Upper School students, and particularly its dedicated poets. As an experienced college professor, she opened the world of college life to our soon-to-be Baldwin graduates. Students also had the opportunity to work with Kim in small group writing seminar workshops. Kim is pictured here with Head of School Sally Powell.

November 2012 Recap: Marilyn Nelson As the visiting Lower School author, Marilyn Nelson highlighted her newest book Ostrich and Lark. The girls were especially intrigued by the illustrations, which were done by artists in Botswana, where Marilyn had traveled. See photos from her Baldwin visit here.   Marilyn spoke with Grade IV and V students about the process she uses when writing, and was interviewed by Grade V students. Watch the video here. Marilyn is the author or translator of fifteen books and five chapbooks, and received the Frost Medal—the Poetry Society of America's most prestigious award, for a "distinguished lifetime achievement in poetry."

October 2012 Recap: Kate Light   Friday, October 12, Kate Light was honored with the Baldwin Women's Writing Medal.   Kate writes poems, song lyrics, and opera librettos. She is the author of three volumes of poetry and two works for narrator and chamber ensemble—one about Einstein and Mozart, and the other about ocean creatures and habitats. Kate’s poetry has appeared in national and international magazines and newspapers, and her work has been featured four times on Garrison Keillor’s The Writer’s Almanac. Her pieces have been heard and seen by tens of thousands of children and adults across the country, often with Kate as the narrator. She is the librettist of a comic opera and an opera based on a Russian folktale. You can hear the lyrics to her song “Here Beside Me” in Disney’s Mulan II.   Kate is an alumna of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, and Hunter College in New York City. Kate has been visiting professor at Cornell University and the Musashino Art University in Tokyo. She has taught for The Poetry School in London, and she is currently teaching Children’s Literature at Hunter College. She is a professional violinist and member of the orchestra of the New York City Opera.       Click here to listen to Baldwin student, Samantha Raymond's interview of Kate Light.

February 2012 Recap: Catherine Gilbert Murdock Young adult author Catherine Gilbert Murdock visited Upper School classrooms to discuss her take on Room with a View, her creative process and what makes a great story.  She also did a podcast interview with three Middle School students who had studied Mudock's books in their Books & Bytes book club.  Upper School Director Eric Benke presented Murdock with the Baldwin's Women's Writing Medal in recognition of her talent, tenacity and contribution to literature.   Murdock returned to campus in the evening as a participant on the Magic of Empowerment panel, along with young adult author Kathy McCullough, Baldwin School Psychologist Dr. Sherie Saner and English Teacher Jill Brown.  The panelists discussed their paths to success, the trials and tribulations of being a writer, and the themes of female empowerment present in literature. The panel was moderated by Ruth Hochberger, Esq. ‘68.   See more photos in our Media Gallery.   Sherie Saner, Ph.D. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and a Certified Family Therapist.  She has been in private practice for 32 years.  Dr. Saner was a supervisor and consultant to the Montgomery County Mental Health System, and a consultant/presenter for the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit.  For the past 25 years she has been the psychologist for The Baldwin School, and has developed a pre-K through Grade 12 prevention program, Life Skills for Wellness.  Dr. Saner is a past lecturer at Temple University, a founding member of S.O.S., and is trained in various mind/body techniques.  Jill Brown is a Baldwin Middle School English teacher.  She earned her Master’s degree in English at New York University.   Before coming to Baldwin, Jill taught English at the Pingry School in New Jersey.  She has also worked as a technical editor and a marketing writer for Engineers and other professionals.   Ruth Hochberger, Esq. '68 is former Editor-In-Chief, The New York Law Journal; professor, NYU and CUNY; and contributor, The Huffington Post. Kathy McCullough was born in Detroit and lived in Florida, Pennsylvania and New York before moving to Los Angeles, where she still lives. A graduate of Cornell University, she received her MFA in Screenwriting/Directing from Columbia University. As a screenwriter, she has worked for several production companies, including Nickelodeon, and the film of her script TEEN SPIRIT aired on ABC Family last August. She has always loved fiction, however, especially novels for kids and teens. "Don't Expect Magic" is her first published novel.

November 2011 Recap: Ann Warren Turner 11/11/11... Baldwin Write Now's second visitor of the year was Ann Warren Turner, author of Sitting Bull Remembers, Nettie's Trip South, and Abe Lincoln Remembers. During her busy visit, Ann signed copies of her books for the girls, shared her experiences as an accomplished female writer, visited with various English classrooms to speak with the girls about creative writing, as well as hosted a discussion with faculty and staff about teaching writing to students. The Middle School girls loved their time spent with Ann Warren Turner, asking questions about her books and tips for their own creative writing. Head of School Sally Powell presented Ann Warren Turner with the special Baldwin's Women's Writing Medal after her wonderful visit and time spent with the Baldwin community.   See more images from her visit in our media gallery   Watch her middle school assembly presentation on our YouTube Channel   Listen to our students interview of Ann Warren Turner

October 2011 Recap: Ruth Freeman Swain On October 14, the Lower School had a visit from Ruth Freeman Swain, children's author of such popular books as Bedtime, Underwear: What We Wear Under There and How Sweet It Is (and Was): The History of Candy. During her visit, she met with Lower School girls to share her story of being an author. Ruth shared the process of writing a book from start to finish, including finding inspiration for her stories. The girls loved when Ruth shared artifacts of historic undergarments.     Ruth met with Grade IV to share writing tips, as the girls are working on their own creative writing stories. Pre-K and K students enjoyed story time with Ruth as she read Bedtime. Her trip culminated with a visit to the Grade V classrooms, where Ruth shared her poetry.     Head of School Sally Powell presents Ruth Freeman Swain with the school's fourth Baldwin Write Now medal.   Listen to our students interview Ruth Freeman Swain

2010-2011 Program Recaps Doe Boyle Awarded Baldwin Women's Writing Medal Award winning author, Doe Boyle received Baldwin's Women's Writing Medal from Head of School Sally Powell (pictured, left) in April 2011. Boyle is an accomplished writer and editor, having authored Globe Pequot's Fun with the Family in Connecticut as well as a dozen children's books. Her children's books include Gray Wolf Pup (Smithsonian Wild Heritage Collection), Otter on His Own: The Story of a Sea Otter (Smithsonian Oceanic Collection), and Smithsonian Oceanic Collection: Islands of Ice/Otter on His Own (Smithsonian Soundprints Mini Book and Plush Series). Listen to our students interview Doe Boyle

"Master Communicator" Panel Discussion   Moderated by Baldwin alumna Ruth Hochberger ’68, the Be Heard & Be Understood: Develop the Skills of a Master Communicator panel was comprised of specialists from different backgrounds, each an expert in her chosen field. Though their professions varied, each panelist shares a common strength – her ability to communicate clearly, succinctly and effectively. The panelists shared their experiences finding their voices, how they identify and tell excellent stories, advice they wished they had received along the way and how they succeeded as a woman in their respected fields.   Moderator: Ruth Hochberger, Esq. ‘68 – Former Editor-In-Chief, The New York Law Journal; professor, NYU and CUNY; contributor, The Huffington Post Panelists: Holly Gordon – VP, Project Development, The Documentary Group; Director, 10x10 – “Educate Girls, Change the World”; former producer, ABC News - World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, Good Morning America, 20/20 and Primetime Dr. Diana Slaughter-Defoe – Clayton Professor in Urban Education at the University of Pennsylvania; renowned researcher and writer Doe Boyle – Award winning author, National Wildlife Federation and Smithsonian Institution Children’s Books Marian Uhlman – Founder and Director, Healthy News Works; former reporter, Philadelphia Inquirer   Watch a video clip from the panel discussion on Baldwin's YouTube Channel.

Faith Ringgold Awarded Baldwin's Women's Writing Medal Award-winning author and illustrator Faith Ringgold was presented with Baldwin's Women's Writing Medal by Head of School Sally Powell in May 2011. Ringgold is author and illustrator of such popular children's books as Tar Beach, Dinner at Aunt Connie's House, The Invisible Princess, and My Dream of Martin Luther King, and is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Caldecott Honor Book Award. Following the presentation, Ringgold spent the day with Lower School students, talking about her work and participating in art and writing projects. Listen to the podcast of our students interviewing Faith Ringgold.  Pictured, l to r: Parent Program Coordinator Holly Brigham, Author Faith Ringgold, Head of School Sally Powell.

Patricia MacLachlan Awarded Baldwin Women's Writing Medal   Best-selling children's author Patricia MacLachlan, who wrote Sarah, Plain and Tall, was awarded the first Baldwin School Women's Writing Medal by Head of School Sally Powell in October 2010 during a Middle School assembly. MacLachlan spent the day at Baldwin, meeting with students and faculty. In the evening she shared her perspective, writing process, and experiences as a female author with an audience of both children and adults in the Assembly Room of the Residence Building.  Listen to the podcast interview of Patricia MacLachlan by students from Baldwin's Music Podcasting and Radio Broadcasting program or watch a video of the interview on YouTube.