The River Campus Libraries invites you to attend a Neilly Author Series talk from Erin Gruwell, a teacher and founder of the Freedom Writers Foundation. Her unique teaching method led to the publication of The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World around Them. 

Years ago, Gruwell, a first-year teacher, found herself in a classroom with a troubled group of students who had been dubbed unteachable. Over the course of a few months, she empowered the students to re-chart their futures and go on to become college students, published writers, and citizens for change. This story inspired the 2007 film Freedom Writers. 

In her talk, Gruwell will discuss how to become a catalyst for change and her newest book, Dear Freedom Writer. She will be available for book-signing immediately following the lecture.

Please register to attend.

The Neilly Author Series was established in 2001 to invite a diverse range of authors to discuss their recent publications, their writing processes, and the ideas presented in their work. This series is made possible by the River Campus Libraries through the endowed fund provided by University Life Trustee Andrew H. Neilly and his wife, Janet. 

The 2022-2023 Neilly Author Series season is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the University of Rochester's Department of Psychiatry.  The books highlighted in this season's Neilly talks support key concepts in the biopsychosocial model—developed by University professors George Engel and John Romano—which serves as the cornerstone of psychiatric education and training.