Eve Ensler and Dael Orlandersmith at Berkeley Rep

          After another amazing Hedgebrook alumnae event (Dael Orlandersmith! Eve Ensler!), it was clear to me that Hedgebrook is a lifeline for women writers, specifically me.When I applied to Hedgebrook back in 2007, I was at a crossroads in my writing career. My play had been rejected by every theater that I had sent it to and a YA novel I was working on also got rejected for publication. At the time, I contemplated quitting writing as nuts as that sounds.But then I got into Hedgebrook and those two weeks were my lifesaver. I fell in love with writing again. I read like I've never read before. I met inspiring women. I was taken care of and my cottage was a safe space.It also helped me realize that rejection was part of a life as a writer.Now, as I decide to get back into playwriting, Hedgebrook came into town and introduced me to two amazing women playwrights.Hedgebrook is my lifeline and I hope more women can experience its transformative power. Giving back to Hedgebrook in any way I can is like paying back a friend who helped you in a time of need. And we all need Hedgebrook. Hedgebrook supports visionary women writers whose stories and ideas shape our culture now and for generations to come. The opinions expressed here are not necessarily representative of the opinions of Hedgebrook, its staff or board members.