Dr. Liz's Story
Elizabeth has been a storyteller for almost as long as she has been alive! She read voraciously as a child but had always been struck by the stories that weren't being told. Stories about her ancestors, community, and neighborhood. She set out early to tell those stories. She earned a BFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College then a master’s in education from Harvard University. She taught writing and adult literacy courses at the Cambridge Community Learning Center, SCALE in Somerville, Roxbury Community College and ran the adult literacy program at United South End Settlements.
Her passion for storytelling and teaching adults converged during her doctoral work. She completed a PhD program at Lesley University focused on creative writing for literacy acquisition and liberation.As a result of that work, two projects emerged. One is a contemporary young adult novel titled, The Moonlit Vine, featuring 14-year-old Taína, descended from a long line of Taíno women who must rise within her own strength to bring peace and justice to her family and her community. Published by Lee and Low, the novel has gotten starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist. It was named one of their Best Teen & YA Novels of 2023 About Social Issues by Kirkus. Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18 selected The Moonlit Vine as one of the titles to be honored on the Rise 2024 Booklist and the book has been longlisted for a 2024 Massachusetts Book Award. The second project is a website called The Untold Narratives to support all writers, emerging and experienced, in finding and sharing stories that are not typically told due to marginalization and leveraging those stories to build confidence in voice while gaining experience in writing. She formerly held the role Chief Development Officer at Youth Mentoring Action Network, a youth power-building organization in California. She was also the Chief Program Officer at MENTOR National.
Liz's Untold Why
As the youngest of seven sisters raised by a single mother, I have been surrounded by the love and resilience of women my entire life. Yet growing up without mentors or champions beyond my family made it a constant struggle to build the connections and support needed to thrive. I fought my way through, achieved my goals, and learned the hard way what it means to navigate the world alone—but I often wonder how much further I could have gone with guidance and allies by my side. That question drives everything I do: I am committed to helping other women and girls reach their potential, to opening doors where none existed, and to making sure no one has to face the journey alone. The world is challenging enough; my mission is to create space at the table, lift up voices that have been excluded, and ensure more women and girls have the opportunity to claim the place they deserve.
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
617-276-4598